Randy Frost has been staying very close to home the last couple of months. After riding the bus for three years, the City of Fresno pulled his bus pass. They said he and his wheelchair were too heavy for the lift on the bus. Randy weighs about 500 pounds ... his wheelchair is 200 pounds. Federal, state and city guidelines, spelled out in the Americans with Disabilities Act, said an occupied wheelchair cannot board a bus if it weighs more than 600 pounds.
Randy Frost said, "I can ambulate ... I can walk using a cane getting on the lift ... and then all they have to do is put my chair on the lift and put it in the bus. But then Fresno is saying we're not going to allow you to do that."
For three months Randy Frost has been spinning his wheels. But when Action News spoke with the City's Transportation Director Wednesday ... he told us there was a possible solution. Randy could have someone travel with him.
Ken Hamm said, "The use of an attendant helps us assure that he's safely gonna be gotten aboard the bus and that the chair will be brought aboard the bus as well."
Randy Frost said, "That works for me ... you know if they're willing to allow me to do that ... that would be great! Somebody said "Sue em! Sue em" but this isn't about money ... this is about getting my life back and getting my independence. They took that away."
Late Thursday afternoon the City Transportation Director spoke to Randy Frost and told him he would make sure Randy got a new bus pass.
