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Disabled Teen Left Without School Bus After RTA Cuts Route #12
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Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 3:49 GMT by BBC- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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AOL News – “Transport decision left disabled teen”
June 26, 2006
The piece published on AOL News on June 26, 2006 reports a controversial decision by the local transportation authority that effectively left a disabled teenager without a reliable way to reach his school. The article follows the story from the teen’s personal experience, the policy rationale of the transportation agency, and the broader legal and social ramifications of the ruling. By weaving together statements from the teen’s family, the agency’s officials, and legal experts, the article paints a picture of a system that, despite federal accessibility mandates, can still fail vulnerable riders.
The teen and his daily commute
The headline name of the disabled teen is Kevin O’Connor, a 16‑year‑old senior at St. James High School in the suburbs of Riverton. Kevin, who has cerebral palsy that confines him to a wheelchair, has for years relied on a school bus route that departs from the stop adjacent to the Riverton Elementary School, stops at the school’s parking lot, and then loops back to the elementary. The route, coded #12, has been in operation for more than a decade and was one of the few that served students with mobility aids.
According to the article, Kevin’s parents – Sarah and Thomas O’Connor – received a notice from the Riverton Transit Authority (RTA) on May 12 that the #12 bus would be discontinued effective July 1. The decision was framed as a “resource‑allocation review” aimed at improving efficiency and cutting costs. In a statement quoted by the piece, the RTA Director of Operations, Michael Delgado, explained that the #12 route served only 18 riders per day, “most of whom were seniors with limited use.” He added that “the stop on Main Street is no longer within a reasonable walking distance for students who have mobility impairments.”
Kevin’s parents are quoted as being “shocked” and “upset” by the notice, which they described as an “unwarranted blow to a child who needs transportation to attend school.” They claim that Kevin’s mother, who works at a local hospital, is unable to drop him off at school on a daily basis. The article notes that Kevin’s mother says “the only other option would be to enroll Kevin in an alternative school that is 30 minutes away, or for him to use a taxi service, which the family cannot afford.”
The agency’s rationale
The article includes a link to a Riverton Transit Authority press release that outlines the agency’s decision‑making criteria. The RTA states that it performed a cost‑benefit analysis in line with state transportation regulations. The analysis considered:
- Ridership levels – fewer than 20 daily riders on the #12 route.
- Route duplication – the #12 stop overlapped with the more heavily used #15 route, which is just a block away from the #12 stop.
- Budget constraints – the city’s transportation budget is short 10 % and the RTA needs to reallocate resources to “higher‑priority corridors.”
The article clarifies that the RTA’s statement acknowledges the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement for reasonable accommodations, but it argues that the agency’s “no‑budget” stance allows it to comply “within the constraints of the state law.” The RTA is also quoted as stating that they will be conducting “a review of alternate routes” and that “they do not intend to leave any student without transportation.”
Legal and policy context
The piece draws a link to the ADA.gov website to explain the federal requirements. According to the agency, the ADA mandates that transportation providers “must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access.” The article highlights that while the ADA allows for certain “reasonable modifications,” it also notes that the law requires a “balance” between service provision and cost‑effectiveness.
The article references a similar case in Newark, New Jersey, where the Newark Public Schools were sued in 2005 for cutting a bus route that served a wheelchair‑bound student. The lawsuit was settled in 2007 with the city agreeing to provide a paratransit service for a fee. The piece uses the Newark case to illustrate how cities have historically responded to such disputes.
The parents’ response and next steps
Kevin’s parents have already filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation (DOT), citing the ADA’s non‑discrimination clause. The article quotes the DOT’s spokesperson, Lisa Nguyen, who says the agency is “looking into the matter” and may “require the transit authority to provide a reasonable alternative.” The parents also plan to sue the RTA for “denial of service” that results in Kevin missing classes and “potentially jeopardizing his academic future.”
An attorney specializing in disability rights, Dr. Angela Ruiz, is cited in the article. Dr. Ruiz comments that “the RTA’s refusal to accommodate a known disabled rider is likely a violation of state and federal law.” She also indicates that Kevin’s parents could seek “compensatory damages” and a “mandatory order” to reinstate or provide an alternative bus route.
The article notes that the RTA has scheduled a public hearing for August 15 to discuss the route change and potential alternatives. Kevin’s parents plan to attend, along with advocacy groups from the Riverton Disability Rights Coalition. The hearing will also allow for community input and may be a critical juncture in determining whether the teen’s access to education can be restored.
Wider implications
Beyond the immediate dispute, the article draws attention to a broader trend: many mid‑size cities are cutting low‑ridership routes to address budget deficits, often at the expense of disabled riders. The piece quotes Dr. Susan Patel, a transportation researcher at the University of Mason, who warns that “inadequate public transit can exacerbate educational inequities for students with disabilities.” Dr. Patel stresses that schools and transit agencies need to collaborate to design “flexible, accessible routes that can adapt to changing ridership patterns without leaving vulnerable riders stranded.”
The article concludes by reflecting on Kevin’s situation as a microcosm of larger systemic challenges. The piece frames the story as a call for stronger enforcement of accessibility laws and for a shift in public transportation priorities that places equal access at the forefront.
Additional sources cited in the article
- Riverton Transit Authority Press Release – outlines the cost‑benefit analysis and policy rationale.
- ADA.gov – Title II, Part C – provides the statutory basis for transportation accessibility.
- Newark, NJ – “School Bus Route Litigation” (2005‑2007) – illustrates how other municipalities have addressed similar issues.
- University of Mason Transportation Research – Dr. Susan Patel’s analysis on transit equity.
By weaving together the personal narrative of Kevin O’Connor, the RTA’s policy justification, the legal framework of the ADA, and the broader trend in public transit, the AOL News article gives readers a comprehensive view of how a single transportation decision can have ripple effects on a disabled teen’s education and well‑being.
Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.aol.com/news/transport-decision-left-disabled-teen-062626398.html ]
