The Maryland Transit Administration’s Mobility Link, a service created to assist those with disabilities who cannot safely make it to an official bus stop and ride fixed-route public transportation, has been under scrutiny for substandard treatment of its riders. The Department of Justice in Maryland has found that the MTA violates the Americans with Disabilities Act “by failing to provide paratransit services comparable to the level of service provided to individuals who use the fixed route system”. Users of this service have reported being subjected to untimely pickup/dropoff times and drivers failing to alert users via phone updates when they have arrived for pickup. These same users have said they have had to miss doctor’s appointments, work shifts, and other important events due to the underwhelming service provided by Mobilitylink. The MTA has responded to the Department of Justice’s formal letter and has agreed to cooperate or improve the service for its riders. However, as of the beginning of 2024, the MTA and Department of Justice have not publicly announced the next steps to make these changes.

Brittany Adams