Public commenter urges ATP not to negotiate with CapMetro until suspension is rescinded; alleges discrimination by CapMetro

Carlos Leon, a member of the public who signed up to speak, told the Austin Transit Partnership board during public comment that CapMetro has suspended him for six months and urged the board not to negotiate with CapMetro on agenda items 4 and 5 until the suspension is rescinded.

"Do not negotiate with CapMetro until their fraudulent 6 month suspension against me is rescinded, officially restoring my full access to their services and properties," Leon said, and added he had emailed the board a 173-page PDF he said documents CapMetro's "discrimination and retaliation". Leon alleged a suspension letter dated Sept. 8 from Daryl Jamail, described in the transcript as senior director of public safety and emergency management, was "fraudulent" and that drivers and management had wrongly denied him service. He said he had sent Jamail 57 emails between June 17 and Sept. 8 documenting incidents and that he was targeted when drivers refused to pick him up at bus stops.

Leon said the actions against him amount to criminal behavior and asked the board to "write this wrong now, or I report this all to your star compliance hotline for starters." He closed his remarks with a prayer. The transcript records no formal board response beyond a thank-you from the board chair and a note that no other speakers were registered.

The comments were made during the public comment portion of the Sept. 17 meeting; the board proceeded to consider and vote on action items that included interlocal agreements with the City of Austin and CapMetro.