I happened to notice a sign on the mall shuttle this morning that detailed the ways that RTD supports the disabled community. This is a good thing, but one of the items confuses me. Just take a look:
Let’s consider that first item: “Operators must attempt to deploy an inoperative lift when requested by a passenger.” What the hell does this mean?
I hope it means that when the operator thinks that the lift is broken that he/she must still try to deploy it anyway when asked by a passenger. This would make the most sense, but it certainly isn’t the only way to take the phrase. There are other options to consider here…and we shall.
For example, it is possible that this message means that you can ask your driver to deploy an inoperative lift for you. “Please, sir…I would like you to deploy an inoperative lift. What? All your lifts are operative? What about the promise on your sign?”
Or, it also sounds like passengers can just mess with drivers when the lift is broken. After all, if the lift is truly inoperative, then it can’t be deployed. That’s kind of the definition. “What? It doesn’t work? Well, make it do what it can’t do anyway. We aren’t leaving until you do.”
Of course, there is always considerations even if RTD means that drivers must attempt to deploy lifts they think are broken upon request. For one thing, is the lift safe if the driver believes it is broken? Should passengers get on a partially broken lift if the driver does somehow manage to get it deployed?
The whole thing just confuses me. Funny enough, the lift on the mall shuttle isn’t even automatic…it’s just a metal ramp that the driver manually flips out. I’m not sure how it could be inoperative, but it seems like it would take something pretty major to do it. I’m thinking there just isn’t much call for this provision of the promise on the mall shuttle anyway.
