Knoxville Area Transit, Cynthia McGinnis
June 11, 2007  [via Email]

Docket 2007-1
Office of Technical and Informational Services
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111

Re:  Comments to Access Board Docket Number 2007-1

Dear Madam Chair and Members of the Board:

Please note KAT’s concerns about the proposed revisions to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buses and Vans. 

1.  Please leave intact the current definition of a common wheelchair (30” x 48” and not exceeding 600 lbs including the passenger).
   
2.  The proposal requires that all vehicles have doorways and a clear pathway to the securement location that is at least 36” wide, and the proposal to change the definitions for compliant boarding ramps from a maximum slope of 1:4 to a slope that does not exceed 1:8  will require new vehicle designs that will take years to refine. In the meantime, designs that have been perfected will be abandoned while new designs will cause hardships for operators and passengers.

 The intended consequences of the proposed changes may benefit a few, but the unintended consequences will inconvenience many and will tax already scarce financial resources. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Draft Revisions to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buses and Vans.

Sincerely,

Cynthia McGinnis, General Manager
Knoxville Area Transit
1135 Magnolia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
865.215.7824
cmcginnis@cityofknoxville.org