Man Pleads for Lift Line Services

Posted by: Rachel Barnhart
Email: rbarnhart@13wham.com
Last Update: 4/13 5:38 am

(Rochester, N.Y.) – Melvin Grisby often rides his wheelchair to and from his dialysis treatment for diabetes. The three-times a week trip is two miles each way.

“Last year, in October, I got mugged,” Grisby said. “I had to have surgery on my right eye, because my eye was hanging out because they tried to rob me.”

Grisby, a retired City School District school security guard who had both of his legs amputated below the knee, would like to take Lift Line, the taxpayer-supported bus service for people with disabilities.

Lift Line told Melvin, he’s only eligible in the winter months. He was cut off from the service on April 1.

“I feel secure when I’m riding with Lift Line. I miss them,” Grisby said.

“The gentleman most likely should be eligible. He’s a double amputee. He’s going to dialysis,” said Chris Hildebrandt, head of the Center for Disability Rights.

Lift Line has 2,700 riders and 450 of them have “seasonal eligibility.” Hildebrandt says his office has many clients who struggle with their status.

“For a lot of people with significant disabilities, it’s the only option,” Hildebrandt said. “And when it’s pulled away from you for the summer, people are stuck.”

Lift Line told Grisby that he is capable of riding regular buses. Grisby doesn’t dispute that, and says RTS bus drivers are very helpful. But, he says, his wheelchair is too big to fit comfortably on the bus.

Grisby also says the bus doesn’t come early enough for his 6:30 a.m. dialysis appointments. Grisby’s appointments are five hours long, and his social worker says the center cannot change the time. Grisby said he is often drained after dialysis.

“I guess they trying to say I’m not handicapped enough, but as you can see, I am,” Grisby said.

The Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority said in a statement, “Services like Lift Line should only be for people with disabilities that cannot use traditional public transportation. These rules were established because taxpayers pay for more than 90 percent of the cost for a Lift Line ride. In this situation, all of the rules were followed.”

RGRTA said it goes above and beyond what the Americans for Disabilities Act requires, by offering seasonal passes, instead of evaluating clients on a ride-per-ride basis.

Grisby appealed Lift Lines decision with help from CDR, but lost. RGRTA said the appeals committee is made up of people from the disability community.

“I need lift line, just as simple as that. I need them,” he said.