Broward adds paratransit FAU stop following Call Christina investigation

Disabled FAU students, staff decide to Call Christina for help

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Broward County Commission voted in favor of adding a Paratransit stop at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton following a Call Christina investigation.

Last month, Roland Mendoca, who is a disabled Broward County resident, called investigative reporter Christina Vazquez for help in adding a Paratransit stop at FAU.

Broward County disabled residents traveling to FAU were previously required to transfer from Tops Paratransit at Mizner Park in Boca Raton to Palm Transit to complete the last leg of their trip. In some instances, the Broward Tops passed in front of FAU traveling to the transfer point.   

After Vazquez contacted Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler, she added the item to the commission agenda and commissioners voted unanimously in their April meeting to add at stop at FAU.

"I've gotten involved because this is one of the things I've taken up; the Paratransit issue all of these years.  I'm sorry that it has taken this long to bring an actual item forward," Wexler said.

"I am a single mother of two and I have played the whole connection game of trying to schedule the one Paratransit to meet the next Paratransit and it doesn't work too well. Either you're an hour early or you miss it," Sheniqua Miller, a single mother of two, said as she addressed commissioners.

"It's imperative that students with disabilities from Broward County are transported directly to FAU rather than have to make a connection that wastes time and use more resources. So truly today is a victory for all students and individuals who need to go to FAU," Mendonca said.

TOPS Paratransit service to FAU began on Monday.

Click here for more information about the service.

RELATED LINKS:

Broward County Commission to discuss Paratransit service to FAU

Disabled FAU students, staff want TOPS to extend service