Tony Gebhard

Transit is at risk… Use your voice!

🚍 A Ride Worth Fighting For

Accessibility isn’t a bonus feature — it’s a lifeline.

There are moments when we realize the things we depend on most aren’t luxuries — they’re lifelines. For many of us in the disability community, public transit isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s how we keep our jobs, make it to medical appointments, and actually show up for our lives. Independence doesn’t magically appear; most days, it arrives on a bus, a train, or a paratransit van. 🧡

But lately, that lifeline is fraying. With federal relief gone and local budgets tightening, agencies are trimming routes, stretching wait times, and limiting paratransit hours. Folks are left wondering, “How do I get to work now? What about my doctor’s visit?” It’s okay to feel frustrated. It’s okay to be angry. But we can’t stop there.

We can speak up — clearly, respectfully, and consistently. One voice might feel small, but voices together turn into momentum. You don’t need a bullhorn (unless that’s your vibe 😄). You just need five minutes and a little courage to say, this matters — we matter.

Call to action: Send a short, respectful letter to your city officials, state legislators, and transit board asking them to protect fixed-route and ADA paratransit service. Share your story. Ask for stable funding. Invite them to be part of the solution.

Jump to the letter template ↓

Why this matters

Transit gets us where we’re going, but it also gets us who we’re becoming — employees, students, caregivers, neighbors, friends. When routes disappear, opportunities disappear with them. Service cuts create missed appointments, lost wages, and a whole lot of isolation we don’t need any more of.

Leaders are busy, budgets are tight, and nobody can fix everything overnight. But we can choose what we protect. Accessibility, reliability, and dignity should make the cut every single time.

If you’re ready, copy the template below, add your details, and hit send. Your words can start a ripple. 🌊

📄 Letter Template to Officials

Tip: Personalize the first paragraph with a short story (2–3 sentences) about how transit impacts your daily life.

Click to copy the plain-text version
[Your Name] [Street Address] [City, State ZIP] [Email] | [Phone] [Date] The Honorable [Official’s Full Name] [Title] [Office Address] Subject: Protect essential public transit and ADA paratransit access Dear [Title] [Last Name], I’m writing as a constituent and disability advocate to request urgent action to protect fixed-route transit and ADA paratransit services in our community. Across the U.S., transit agencies are facing operating shortfalls as pandemic relief funds have expired, costs have risen, and fare revenues lag. In many regions, agencies are considering or implementing route reductions, longer headways, and limited service hours — changes that fall hardest on riders with disabilities who rely on reliable trips for medical care, employment, education, and daily living. These pressures affect communities large and small. While federal programs like FTA Section 5310 support mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, they do not replace core operating funds for fixed-route and ADA paratransit services that riders depend on every day. What I’m requesting: 1) Provide near-term operating support to prevent route eliminations and paratransit cutbacks. 2) Protect and, where possible, expand ADA paratransit eligibility, service hours, and on-time performance standards. 3) Encourage agencies to leverage federal tools (e.g., Sections 5307/5311/5339 where eligible; Section 5310 for mobility enhancements) while pursuing recurring local/state revenue for long-term stability. Why it matters: Transit is not optional for many disabled riders — it’s the bridge to employment, healthcare, and community participation. Service cuts lead to missed appointments, lost wages, and isolation. Stabilizing operating budgets now prevents deeper, costlier crises later. I respectfully urge your office to convene agency leaders, disability stakeholders, and legislators to secure short-term operating aid and advance a long-term funding package that keeps buses, trains, and paratransit running reliably. Thank you for your leadership and attention to this urgent access issue. Sincerely, [Your Name] [City], [ZIP]
At-a-glance talking points (optional)
  • Transit cuts disproportionately impact riders with disabilities — this is an equity issue and a civil rights issue.
  • Operating support prevents cascading costs (ER visits from missed care, job loss from missed shifts, etc.).
  • Stability now preserves trust and ridership later — reliability is the first step to recovery.
  • Pair short-term operating aid with long-term, recurring revenue to avoid annual “fiscal cliffs.”
  • Measure what matters: on-time performance, trip denials, call center hold times, and rider satisfaction.

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