ICYMI: Louisville Courier-Journal opinion: TARC is running on fumes amid coronavirus, putting the disabled, elderly at risk
By THEO HAMILTON and IRA GRUPPER
The recent resignation of the director of the Transit Authority of River City over allegations of sexual harassment is but one of the serious problems plaguing this city agency. The coronavirus and TARC’s treatment of the disabled, and drivers of their vehicles, has created an additional crisis.
TARC has two entities. One provides city bus transportation to the general public. It is run by the city of Louisville. The second is a separate paratransit bus system for the disabled. It is run by a private for-profit company. The outcry would be huge if the city outsourced police, fire, ambulance and other basic services. Then why allow this for disabled transport?
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1447 was in constant daily battle with the previous outsourced paratransit company, First Transit, and now the battle continues with MV Transit. Complaints were, and are, constant, whether regarding the mistreatment of employees, or mistreatment of passengers not receiving adequate service.