Greyhound and other bus carriers should make their entire fleets accessible to disabled people by 2012, the government proposed Friday.
Greyhound called the proposal too expensive; some in the disabled community said the timetable was too slow.
Under the draft guidelines, the Transportation Department is proposing a phase-in to address both concerns.
Starting in 2000, any new bus bought by a carrier would have to be fully accessible. By 2006, half of all fleets would have to be equipped with wheelchair lifts. While the companies are converting buses, they would have to supply a handicapped-accessible bus if a disabled passenger gives them 48-hour notice.
The department issued the draft guidelines in response to a lawsuit filed by disabled residents from Arizona.
