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Edited by Alfredo Alvarado

Access-A-Ride needs to improve

DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido joined advocates for the disabled, union activists, city officials and MTA representatives to discuss the need to improve Access-A-Ride service at an April 3 forum at union headquarters.

After welcoming remarks by DC 37 Disability Advisory/Health Committee Chair Eileen Muller, who is also president of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild, Garrido spoke of the importance of the Access-A-Ride service, which handles as many as 23,000 trips daily. But he warned of the attack on safety net services in the proposed Trump administration’s budget, including potential cuts in federal grants for services such as Access-A-Ride. “Everything we hold dear is at stake right now,” Garrido said.

After presentations by city officials, including City Council member Andrew Cohen, chair of the committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substances and Disability Services, members spoke out regarding negative experiences with Access-A-Ride, and volunteered suggestions to improve this vital service.

Access-A-Ride provides shared-ride transportation service for people with disabilities unable to use public transportation.