Statement by U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater On Court Decision Concerning ADA and Intercity Buses

Topics:  Rodney E. Slater

U.S. Department of Transportation
November 15, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 15, 2000
Contact: Bill Adams
Telephone: 202-366-5580
DOT 223-00

I am disappointed in the decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, concluding that the U.S. Department of Transportation lacks authority to require bus companies to compensate passengers with disabilities if the company failed to provide required accessible service. Bus companies must be held accountable for complying with their obligation to provide access for passengers with disabilities.

I wish to note that all the other requirements of this rule, which is so important to passengers with disabilities who use intercity buses, remain fully in effect. Making transportation inclusive – accessible to people with disabilities – not only is good for those individuals and their families, but it also helps them to contribute to a better community and a better America.

To carry out the court’s decision, the U.S. Department of Transportation will soon issue an amendment removing the compensation provision from our rule implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the course of amending our rule, we will seek suggestions from the public as to whether there are other mechanisms that the Department might create to ensure that bus companies remain accountable for complying with their accessibility obligations.