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144 <br /> <br />be made by Council to order the trolleys as they had been <br />bid, or to lift-equip them and cancel the present bid. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe stated that he was concerned with the small <br />number of persons who had indicated on the JAUNT survey that <br />they could ride a bus. Mr. Towe stated that it was his <br />understanding that four to five new lift-equipped vans were <br />on order by JAUNT and that he would prefer to use JAUNT's <br />resources and perhaps lease out the lift-equipped school <br />buses to meet the handicapped transportation needs. Mr. <br />Towe made a motion that the trolleys be ordered as they had <br />been bid, without lift-equipping them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barnes seconded Mr. Towe's motion, noting concern <br />with the ridership survey and the use the trolleys would get <br />should they be lift-equipped. Mr. Barnes stated that he <br />would like to receive more information on the maintenance <br />costs, on lift-equipped buses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that he was convinced that the existing <br />City buses should not be retrofitted, but that he was <br />concerned about the long time between ordering new buses and <br />was inclined to go with lift-equipping them even though they <br />might not get heavy use. Mr. Buck stated, however, that he <br />felt the issue was a very difficult one and good arguments <br />could be made on both sides. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Gleason stated that she felt it makes a difference <br />philosophically to lift-equip the buses, similar to <br />mainstreaming in the schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe stated that he felt that the majority of <br />handicapped persons would prefer the use of JAUNT vans over <br />City buses, that perhaps JAUNT vans could be leased for any <br />special events for which the trolleys would be used, and <br />that Council should consider helping making JAUNT services <br />available to more persons. <br /> <br /> Dr. Hall stated that he felt it would be better to <br />order the trolleys without the lifts and increase JAUNT's <br />services. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Barnes regarding what <br />would be lost by lift-equipping and therefore delaying the <br />arrival of the trolleyst Mr. Towe stated that the trolleys <br />had been expected for some time now and would encourage <br />University of Virginia students to shop downtown. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that he felt lift-equipping the <br />trolleys would be a symbolic gesture and that he would <br />recommend that the City help JAUNT provide better and more <br />frequent service. <br /> <br /> The motion to order the trolleys as had been bid, <br />without lift-equipping them, was approved by the following <br />vote. Ayes: Mr. Barnes, Dr. Hall, Mr. Towe. Noes: Mrs. <br />Gleason. Abstaining: Mr. Buck. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barnes stressed that he felt the City should make a <br /> commitment to improving handicapped transportation services. <br />meeting was adjourned. <br /> <br /> <br />