Federal appeals court blocks challenge to TriMet LIFT program

The Portland Tribune, Dec 1, 2009, Updated Dec 2, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

A federal appeals court has turned back a challenge to rules governing TriMet’s LIFT paratransit program.

Judges with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided last week that certain rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act did not require TriMet to provide publicly funded private transportation for a Portland woman who used LIFT but preferred to ride in sedans or taxis.

In its Nov. 23 decision, Boose v. Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (No. 08-35878), the court of appeals upheld an Oregon U.S. District Court’s decision in favor of TriMet in a local lawsuit.

The case arose from a dispute between Barbara Boose of Portland and TriMet because of Boose’s preferred use of private transportation to alleviate her balance disorder symptoms.

LIFT is a door-to-door, shared-ride bus service operated 22 hours each day for disabled riders. The service provides more than 3,600 rides each day. People call ahead to schedule rides.

TriMet’s LIFT fleet has 225 buses and 15 sedans. When one of its vehicles isn’t available, TriMet contracts with taxi companies to provide backup service.

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