Some of the county’s 5,400 bus stops are not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, according to Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi.
In one example, Limarzi noted that a visual inspection of 46 bus stops resulted in the finding that 41 did not have a stable installed or an accessible path to boarding.
Limarzi recommended that the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) implement a written formal plan on how to bring all the bus stops into compliance.
Her report also criticized the county’s Department of Transportation’s Transit Services Programs for not always ensuring eligibility of taxi drivers before dispersing funds and did pay $32,000 improperly.
The department also was called out for disbursing $14,000 to a driver after confirming that driver had committed fraud. According to the report, one driver made 588 unverifiable or fraudulent trips.
That driver, who is barred from participating in the county program, has been asked to repay the $14,000.
The Office of Inspector General’s report also noted that MCDOT did not ensure the eligibility of fuel relief recipients before paying them and made $40,000 in unauthorized fuel relief payments.
On Monday, Limarzi announced the results of the audit, which focused on MCDOT services and programs that deal with the transportation needs of people with disabilities and mobility issues.
Richard Madaleno, the county’s Chief Administrative Officer, concurred with all of the recommendations and agreed to have them implemented.
