Norfolk resident says HRT bus defects damaged her $82,456 wheelchair, causing injury

A Norfolk resident told the City Council she was injured and her powered wheelchair was damaged after crowding and what she described as malfunctioning securement systems on Hampton Roads Transit buses. "This is a $82,000 chair... It's $82,455.66," said Tanterian Taylor, who described two separate incidents involving HRT buses and said she now requires therapy.

Taylor said the incidents occurred in August and that she filmed one of them and submitted the footage to a council member and HRT. She said HRT's insurance representative told her the video showed nothing of concern and that HRT indicated it would contest liability. "He told me, 'we'll see you in court,'" Taylor said. She said her lawyer now holds the video evidence.

Policy and enforcement concerns: Taylor also raised broader concerns about wheelchair access and operator response, saying restraints were not functioning and that drivers declined to delay service to address securement. She asked why accessible equipment is not fixed and said riders should be allowed on buses in inclement weather.

Other claims and local code: Taylor additionally raised a separate concern about tree limbs touching the ground near her housing, which she said violated city ordinance; she asked the council to address it. She said the housing authority should be held accountable or sold to another manager, but she did not specify a course of action for the council.

Council action: The remarks were delivered during public comment; no formal motion or vote by the council resulted from the statement. Taylor indicated she has legal counsel and that video evidence exists in private hands.