#paratransit

Me: can I book this ride to and from my job please

Them: no we don't have service after 6:45 pm

Me: ...but I have a weekly job where I've been getting picked up at 9 pm?

Them: oh, we have to cancel that, we weren't supposed to do that

Paratransit in Detroit

SFMTA announced last week they will provide free Muni and Paratransit rides to vaccination sites.

Starting on Tuesday, February 23, Muni and Paratransit will be free for those traveling to get vaccinated for COVID-19. This includes trips in both directions. The SFMTA is also providing additional access to taxi service for those who use the Essential Trip Card.

These rides are good for trips to the city-sponsored high-volume vaccine sites, hospitals or anywhere else that is offering vaccines. More information on the city-sponsored sites as well as directions on how to get there can be found on the city vaccination website.

San Francisco is currently only vaccinating people 65 or older and frontline healthcare workers. For paratransit users, SFMTA is also providing a free return trip.

Me: Good morning! How-

Customer: Aren't you a little early?

Me: uhh, my manifest said your window [to pick you up] opens at 9:20am and it's 9:20-

Customer: IT'S 8:20, YOU'RE EARLY.

Me:

Okay, let me take a look at my computer..

*checks my computer, which now says 9:21am*

Me to customer: it's 9:21.. it's daylight savings today. I'm here right on time..

Her 11 year old son from in the house: YEAH MOM, it's day light savings! She's the driver, I think she knows how to do her job!

Me:

*customer hurries in the house to get ready since they only have a five minute grace period of drivers waiting*

Son at the door now: sorry about that, they're just grumpy because they didn't have enough coffee yet

Mom back at the door:

Americans, you already pay the “sick tax” (medicine, mobility aids, and more), so why should you have to pay for yet another thing?

I’ve been trying to get a ride scheduled through Paratransit to get me to Seattle, getting stuff faxed from the Spine Center to Paratransit, calling them, calling them back. The Spine Center said they faxed it back yesterday, but Paratransit doesn’t have it yet. I gave them the direct number to call, but they got voice mail, so they couldn’t confirm it. They told me to call back tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last day I can schedule my ride, since they require 2 days not counting weekends. So I said “But if you don’t have it then and can’t reach them, then I can’t schedule my ride.” She said “That’s correct.” So I said “But then I can’t get to my appointment.” She said “There’s nothing we can do.” And I just started crying, because I’m in so much damn pain, I can’t move, and I’ve already waited 2 weeks for this damn MRI and I have no idea how long I’m going to have to wait for the surgery. If I can’t get to this appointment, how long am I going to have wait? On top of this, as I’m crying she says “I have to get to the next person in line” and she HANGS UP ON ME. I couldn’t get her name or her number or ask to speak to a supervisor or anything, she just fucking hung up on me! As I’m crying! What the actual fuck! I am SO frustrated and in SO much pain, I don’t know if I can take anymore. I’m just crying and crying.

This is the “government aid” I’m given as a disabled person. I have no dignity, I’m not even a person. Who cares if I’m upset, who cares if I can’t get to where I need to be. My dad might have to miss a day of work (which we badly need the money from) to get up at 4am to take me to the appointment, because we don’t have the money to stay in a hotel in Seattle the night before. I’m so FUCKING frustrated. I can’t TAKE this.