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Wheelchair user tells council Minot transit and sidewalks aren’t meeting ADA needs
Summary
A resident raised accessibility concerns about Minot’s buses and sidewalk openings, saying bus lifts and some stops are unreliable and that sidewalk closures during events created hazards for mobility-device users.
A public commenter told the council that Minot’s transit system and some sidewalk closures are not meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) needs and described several recent negative experiences.
In public comment, Billy Gunderson said he had attempted to board a City/Amtrak bus after the North Coast Fest and that a driver told him a “special bus” would be sent; he said the exchange made him feel isolated. Gunderson described repeated mechanical problems — lifts that would not operate, buses that would not kneel and HVAC problems — and recounted being asked to wait for a subsequent vehicle during subfreezing conditions.
Gunderson also criticized the timing and handling of sidewalk closures on Burdick Expressway during the fair, saying alternate routes required long detours and created safety risks for wheelchair users. He urged the city to hire a third-party reviewer to audit ADA compliance for planning and inspections.
Quote: “The city of Minot continues to marginalize the disabled,” Gunderson said during his remarks.
Council response: Councilors thanked Gunderson for the report. Several councilors noted that maintenance and vehicle-replacement decisions are tied to prior budget choices and that staff would be asked to review the operational points raised. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff were directed to follow up with the commenter and report back as appropriate.
Ending: Staff will log Gunderson’s concerns and return with a report on transit lift reliability, schedule impacts and sidewalk detour planning.
