Greensboro Residents Ask City To Restart Disability-Friendly Transit Program

Greensboro residents are urging city leaders to bring back a specialized public transit service for people with disabilities. 

The city's I-Ride pilot program was discontinued at the end of last year. The program offered door-to-door transportation service for people with disabilities. Unlike the city's other disability-friendly public transit vans, I-Ride vehicles did not pick or drop off other passengers. 

At Tuesday's meeting, several residents with disabilities told the city council the program allowed them to live more independently.

“It allowed our time to be more valuable," said resident Paul Washington. "It cut down on attendance issues at work. A doctor's appointment could cost you a half a day at work. The I-Ride service cut that down to an hour and a half.”

Councilmember Sharon Hightower says they're taking those concerns seriously.

“Because we did not realize how popular this program was gonna be, I will say there were some measures we didn't put in place, or maybe continue with," said Hightower. "But we've heard your voice. We know it's very important.”

Assistant City Manager Kim Sowell told the council city staffers are working to find a way to reinstate I-Ride. She said the council may be asked to approve funding for the program as soon as February 18.