WASHINGTON—New rules for over-the-road bus companies to provide services for passengers with special accessibility needs bring our nation’s transportation system one step closer to fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

That is the view of Rep. James Oberstar (Minn.), ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to today’s announcement by Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) promised accommodation to all Americans who use public facilities. Transportation is a critical component of that promise. Without access to adequate transportation, a person stands a much smaller chance of living an independent life," Oberstar said.

"These rules provide the bus operators, who until now have lived with the uncertainty of ADA’s impact on their industry, with a fair, concise blueprint for providing adequate access for all their passengers and fulfilling the promise set forth by ADA," Oberstar said.

"Such accommodation is not without its costs, however," Oberstar added, "and we on the House Transportation Committee are sensitive to the increased costs the industry will face to comply with these new rules. That is why we included funds for this purpose in TEA21."

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA21), passed by Congress and signed into law by the President earlier this year, provides grants to over-the-road bus operators to offset up to 50 percent of the equipment and training costs associated with ADA compliance. TEA21 provides $18 million over the next five years for intercity fixed route bus operators and $7 million over the same period for other over-the-road service providers, including local, charter and tour bus operators.

The TEA21 grants will be available in Fiscal Year 1999, which begins October 1, 1998. The new accessibility rules will not take effect until October, 2000 for large carriers and October 2001 for smaller operators.

TEA21 also continues and significantly increases funding for a program to support rural intercity bus service. The legislation sets aside $31.4 million per year for this purpose.