KULPMONT - Cleveland Parks said his daughter returned from summer camp at Central Oak Heights near West Milton Tuesday evening with her hair soaked from sweat after a two-hour bus ride with no air conditioning.
Alyssa Parks, 20, who suffers from cerebral palsy and autism, and other campers with mental and physical disabilities are riding a school bus to camp this year rather than the air-conditioned Northumberland County vehicles used in the past.
The change is related to the county's switch as of July 1 to a private company, Rabbit Transit, of York, for its transportation services.
Parks understands that Rabbit Transit has apparently chosen to use the air-conditioned vehicles for county senior citizens. While he doesn't begrudge those folks being comfortable, he is concerned about his daughter and others as they make the long ride, including drop-offs and pickups, during this stretch of 90-plus degree days.
"This is a group of Americans with disabilities being pushed to the back of the bus and getting only what could be afforded," said Parks. "That is the definition of discrimination."
Also missing this year, Parks said, are the aides that previously rode along. This year, it's only the bus driver and the campers, he said.
Parks fears campers may not have the ability to ask for help if they get too hot or if they need a drink. In the case of Alyssa, her parents packed water bottles in her bag, but she didn't drink anything the whole ride home because she probably forgot they were there, her father said.
"I'm not only worried about my daughter's safety, but for the safety of everyone with disabilities," he said. "Who is going to keep an eye on their needs when the driver will be watching the road?"
Not a long-term solution
Parks said county Mental Health and Mental Retardation department representatives told him their hands are tied because the county no longer employs the transportation provider. A representative from MH/MR could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Meanwhile, Rabbit Transit Executive Director Rick Farr said the company is subcontracting school bus companies because of the spike of transportation needs in the summer.
"They are the same vehicles used through the whole year for similar programs used throughout the whole state," said Farr. He added, however, "This is not a long-term solution."
Farr said the agreement with the county states the company cannot change the number of employees for 60 days after being awarded the contract. He said Rabbit Transit is currently accepting applications and Eastern Coach will be a provider for the company starting on Sept. 1.
"This is the first complaint in the four years that I've been here," said Farr. "We are currently looking for more providers, but this is the best solution as of now."
Farr also said a school bus can hold almost twice as many students and helps keep the cost down.
"We are also keeping the taxpayers in mind," he said. "We are providing the opportunity; it's up to the parents if they choose to utilize them."
But Parks said it's not that simple. His daughter has been attending the summer camp since she was 14, and he said those who miss a certain number of days may not be eligible to attend next year.
"It's the highlight of their summer," said Parks. "I'm not going to tell her she can't go."
Parks said he talked to everyone involved with the situation, but the only one going out of his way to help so far is county Chief Clerk Gary Steffen.
"We are trying to resolve the issue, but I'm not sure if anything has changed as of now," Steffen said Tuesday afternoon.
Parks said he in no way blames the county commissioners and their recent decision, but believes the medical conditions of those riding public transportation should have been taken into consideration.
"If someone would have sat down to think before the decision was made, maybe it would have been better," he said. "Someone dropped the ball, and now (the campers) have to suffer."