LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- TARC3 is asking riders with disabilities to limit riding the bus.
In email sent to riders, TARC3, the public transit service for the Louisville area, says it's encouraging only essential trips because there is a significant TARC 3 driver shortage due to COVID-19 cases.
The service says wait times and routes will likely be impacted.
Marcellus Mayes said as a visually impaired man, his rides with TARC3 are always essential because he can't drive.
"Everything that we do is essential. I mean, if I go and book a ride, I have no other option," he said.
Abby Hodge takes TARC3 to and from work, she said the issues are stressful.
"I live a mile and a half down the road. And sometimes getting there with TARC3 is horrendous. Just a mile," she said.
Hodge said the difficulties with reliable TARC 3 rides furthers inequalities for those in the different ability community.
"I'm just like you. I just can't see the world around me. I mean, I see it just differently," she said. "I want to be as independent as possible."
So what can be done to help?
"I am of the mindset now, no, there's not going to be any significant changes as it relates to TARC3, unless we have a change in leadership," Mayes said.
In the meantime, Hodge is grateful to have a ride in general, but isn't giving up hope for change.
"You wouldn't like it, you wouldn't want to be left somewhere stranded. So we don't either," she said.
Last year, Mayes and other riders with disabilities staged protests, wrote letters to city leaders and demanded better after riders were left stranded or made hours late to and from work or important appointments.
While the pandemic is the most recent challenge, Mayes said it's bigger than that.
"It's just terrible. And that doesn't have anything to do with pandemic, that has to do with the plan that they have to provide services here. It's just a bad plan," Mayes said.
"We are doing our best to meet customer demand while also keeping customers informed about how increased COVID transmission rates are impacting service," Jenny Recktenwald, a spokeswoman for TARC, said in a statement.
TARC says they have already contacted riders who may have been exposed to COVID while riding the bus.
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