ATLANTA -- Harriet Bradley is the caregiver for 91-year-old Mildred Mallory. She is determined to get disabled passengers who ride paratransit to pay just one fare if they switch from a Gwinnett Transit Paratransit bus to a MARTA Mobility Van.
They now pay two full fares for the rides, while regular passengers riding regular buses pay one fare and get a free transfer.
Bradley is furious.
"We must be concerned," she said. "We must have a heart for the people who are disabled."
She has already taken took her fight to the MARTA Board, and now, she's taking her plea for free transfers all the way to the top -- spending an hour with MARTA CEO Beverly Scott.
"I want a decision," she said. "I want this to be changed so that people who are disabled and use paratransit do not have to spend more money than any other public transportation rider."
But Bradley got a reality check.
"She communicated with me that it's going to happen on a regional level," she said.
11Alive's Bill Liss contacted the Atlanta Regional Commission and its executive director after Scott sent a letter telling the ARC to make paratransit fares a top priority.
A meeting is now being set up for next month with ARC's top executives.
"This is wonderful," Bradley said. "I am ready. I am excited. We are going to get this changed."
11Alive's Help Desk has worked with Bradley and followed her route the entire way.
"You have walked with me from the beginning, and I thank you for opening that door," she said.