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HINESVILLE, Ga. – A mother from Liberty County, who depends on a wheelchair for mobility, has recently found herself unable to use the Liberty Transit bus service, following a refusal of assistance with a car seat.
“I generally avoid asking for help, but now I feel confined to my home,” expressed Jaedah Nelson, the mother in question.
Born with a disability, Nelson relies on a wheelchair to get around. She explained that Liberty Transit had been her go-to service for trips to the grocery store and medical appointments due to its accessibility features.
Nelson’s one-year-old daughter has been accompanying her on the bus for the last seven months without any issues.
“I contacted Liberty Transit and asked, ‘How can I bring my baby on the bus now that I’m a mother?'” Nelson recounted. “They told me that as long as she can sit on your lap and you can manage her along with yourself, a car seat isn’t required.”
Nelson said she has always had positive experiences with the transit. However, earlier this year Nelson said she was told she couldn’t sit next to her daughter.
“They said they didn’t want to buckle the back wheels of my wheelchair, so they sent me far from her, so I couldn’t even hold her like normally,” Nelson said.
Liberty Transit called her and told her that her daughter now must sit in a car seat, Nelson said.
Nelson said that wasn’t a problem and she understands the safety concerns; the problem is her bringing it on the bus.
“I said, ‘Can you guys help me with the car seat’ because they know me,” Nelson said. “If I have a basket of clothes, they’ll come get it from the door for me. I always hold my daughter and go to the bus. So, I just asked if someone could carry the car seat, they said they cannot.”
According to the Liberty Transit’s Paratransit Plan, “Liberty Transit policy allows two (2) children under six to ride for free with an eligible fare-paying adult. An adult accompanying a child on any LIBERTY TRANSIT vehicle (including Complementary Paratransit) is responsible for the child and for providing the appropriate car seat. Operators will not secure a child restraint or car seat.”
Nelson said her disability makes it impossible for her to ride the bus while carrying her daughter and a car seat. She said she wants to advocate for change as she fears other mothers are going through the same thing.
has reached out to Liberty Transit for comment, but they have yet to respond. We will update once we hear back.