Woman in Wheelchair vs. Muni Bus Driver

This is the video that’s sparked outrage at San Francisco City Hall and among the area’s disabled rights advocates.  A Muni bus driver, Anthony Jones, greets a woman in a wheelchair with the words, "I don't know what the heck they let you guys on here for anyhow."  The woman takes exception with what Jones says, and he responds by ordering her off the bus.  When she refuses to leave, he puts the bus out of service, and apparently warns her he won’t pick her up the next time he sees her. 

Another surveillance video shows what happens the next time they meet.  It’s four months later, and the woman and her caregiver are waiting at the curb. 

Jones says, "Catch the next bus."

Woman:  "Pardon me?"

Jones: "Catch the next one."

Woman: “Why?”

Jones: “I told you to."

The bus pulls away.

Disabled rights advocates say it’s a violation of federal law – the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Some of the most heartfelt reaction came from Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier who’s in a wheelchair herself.  After seeing our report last night, Alioto-Pier had her staff call Muni boss Nat Ford and union chief Irwin Lum for a meeting early next week.  We’ll keep track of what happens and get back to you.

We’re already working on our next installment from Muni’s video vault, and we’re receiving many good leads on other stories.  We’ll also be looking at the difficulties bus drivers face on the job, so if you’re a Muni employee and have some ideas, please e-mail me.

Comments

[L. Hayashi]

I was on a #3 bus a few weeks ago and the driver picked up a wheelchair. Even before the wheelchair was secured by a seatbelt (which the passenger had to secure himself) the bus decided to start from the curb!

What was the driver thinking? He didn't even get his butt out of his seat to make sure the wheelchair was locked and secured!

[Akit]

Muni is begging for a lawsuit.

[sfmike]

Let me preface this rude comment with "some of my best friend are cripples..." In fact, my nephew has lived all his life in a wheelchair and I'm very sensitive to the issues of accessibility, though I think Supervisor Piers-Alioto is nothing but the worst sort of opportunist on this issue.

I take the 47 bus to work from Van Ness and McAllister most days to the South of Market area, where I'm trying to get to a job to make a buck, and a third of my daily trips we have to stop for five-to-fifteen minutes picking up a drunk and/or drugged-out mess in a wheelchair who wants some attention and wants to be driven three blocks. If I were a MUNI bus driver, I'd be similarly unamused, and as a fellow citizen, I want to yell, "Some of us are trying to get to work. Take your crazy ass energy on your frigging wheelchair somewhere else."

[MAULEDBYMUNI]

In response to sfmike (previous post), who are you to decide who can/can not utilize PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? It is called PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION for a reason, therefor if you are dissatisfied then take PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION!
I am no fan of San Francisco Muni, the drivers are unskilled and unaware of their reponsibilities as operators of large potentially dangerous vehicles. The need for progressive reform must not be put off any longer.

[SFRider]

Yeah, but Public Transportation doesn't mean you can get on the bus without your fare AND we're all PEOPLE, no need to be rude to the driver because he can't see the curb.

Some people have attitude, regardless if they're in a chair or not.. and being in a chair doesn't give you the right to be an ass.

Also, a driver has the right to refuse service to anyone -- if you're drunk, or abusive, or threatening the public.. regardless if you're in a chair or not.

[DisabledAndProud]

I am always shocked when I hear stories like this. We people with disabilities are human too, and we have just as much a right to ride buses as do others.

[The Disability Pride Parade Rocks!]

**** off! We have rights too so just get a life you dirty little *****!

[A Bourne]

I hope that the ACLU or some legal organization decides to file a class action suit against Jones, the city of San Francisco and MUNI. There's gotta be gold in this case. And if the idiots at MUNI want to keep defending Jones, then let them pay through the nose.