Access-A-Ride Paratransit Users Win Decision in Case Against the MTA for Equal Fare Discounts

Introduction

On June 12, 2024, the New York State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, denying the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Transit Authority’s (collectively, MTA) motion to dismiss. the case. In the Court’s ruling, Judge Richard Tsai agreed “with plaintiffs that, based on the allegations in this case, the ADA and DOT implementing rules do not preempt” the city’s Human Rights Law. from New York.

Main summary

The case involves five people with disabilities who use Access-A-Ride Paratransit (AAR), fighting on behalf of a class of people in similar situations, to end the discrimination that excludes them from public transportation fare discounts. . The MTA offers significant fare discounts (including half fares for people with disabilities and seniors, as well as unlimited fares for 30 and 7 days) for bus and subway riders, but not for AAR riders, whose Disabilities prevent them from traveling on buses and subways. The plaintiffs are represented by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), Mobilization for Justice and pro bono attorney Jenner & Block LLP. The case also seeks to reimburse AAR passengers for the financial harm they suffered due to the non-availability of these fare discounts.

“Access-A-Ride users, most of whom have limited resources, rely on Access-A-Ride to travel to their jobs, schools and medical appointments, and to visit friends and family,” says Christopher Schuyler, managing attorney. with NYLPI’s Disability Justice Program. “Extending these discounts (the same discounts available to subway and bus riders) to Access-A-Ride will make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities who use Access-A-Ride.”

“It’s not fair that the MTA is offering these discounts to subway and bus riders and not Access-A-Ride riders. We depend on the MTA to get around just like other transit riders, and we shouldn’t have to pay more.” , says plaintiff Sheila Murray. “The MTA must immediately end this discrimination against Access-A-Ride riders.”

AAR is the MTA’s paratransit service for people with disabilities who cannot use, or have substantially limited ability to use, subways or buses. The MTA is legally required to provide this public transportation service and it must be comparable to subway and bus service. But AAR has long been plagued by unreliable and inflexible service. However, AAR riders must pay the full fare of $2.90 for each ride, no matter how many rides they take per month and regardless of whether they would qualify for a reduced fare due to their disability or age.

Many AAR users live on fixed incomes, exacerbating the impact of their exclusion from these discount programs. Making these discounts available to AAR users will significantly improve the financial well-being of all AAR users.

“No one should have to pay higher fares just because they have a disability that prevents them from riding the bus or subway,” said Daniel A. Ross, senior attorney at Mobilization for Justice, Inc. “The MTA can and should stop penalizing New Yorkers because of their disabilities.

“We are delighted to work closely with the committed, top-notch attorneys at NYLPI’s Disability Justice Program and Mobilization for Justice’s Disability and Aging Rights Program to help vindicate the legal rights of New Yorkers with disabilities,” said Marc B, partner at Jenner & Block. Hankin.

Access the ruling: nylpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/151336_2022_Valerie_Britt_et_al_v_Valerie_Britt_et_al_DECISION___ORDER_ON_35.pdf

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)

Founded nearly 50 years ago by bar leaders, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest is a community-driven civil rights organization seeking justice for all New Yorkers through litigation, community organizing, policy advocacy, pro- bonus and education. NYLPI works to achieve a New York where all people can thrive in their communities, with equal access to public transportation, quality health care and housing, secure jobs, good schools, and healthy neighborhoods. NYLPI’s community-driven approach drives its commitment to civil and disability rights, health, immigrant, and environmental justice, and NYLPI’s Disability Justice Program advocates broadly for transportation equity for New Yorkers with disabilities.

Mobilization for justice

Mobilization for Justice envisions a society in which there is equal justice for all. Mobilization for Justice’s mission is to achieve social justice, prioritizing the needs of people who are low-income, disenfranchised, or with disabilities. We do this by providing the highest quality direct civil legal assistance, providing community education and partnership building, engaging in policy advocacy, and filing impact litigation.

Jenner and Block LLP

Jenner & Block LLP is a law firm with global reach, with offices in Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. The firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice, global investigations practice, work on regulatory and government disputes, and experience handling high-profile and sophisticated corporate transactions. His clients include Fortune 100 companies, technology companies, large private corporations, startups, Native American tribes, and venture capital and private equity investors. The American Lawyer has recognized Jenner & Block as the number one pro bono firm in the United States 11 times.

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This quality-reviewed publication titled Access-A-Ride Paratransit Riders Win Decision in Case Against MTA Over Fair Fare Discounts was selected for publication by the editors of Disabled World due to its relevance to the disability community. While content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity, it was originally written by Disabled world and published on 06/18/2024. For more details or clarifications, you can contact Disabled world Contact Disabled World directly does not provide any warranty or endorsement related to this article.

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Cite this page (APA): Langtree, ICDisabled World. (2024, June 18). Access-A-Ride Paratransit riders win decision in case against MTA over equal fare discounts. Disabled world. Retrieved June 19, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/legal/aar-case.php

Permanent link: Access-A-Ride Paratransit riders win decision in case against MTA over equal fare discounts : The New York State Supreme Court denies the MTA and the New York City Transit Authority’s motion to dismiss their Fair Fare Discounts case, ruling in favor of the plaintiffs.

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