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Stringer: 'Widespread Mismanagement' With MTA's Handling Of Access-A-Ride Program

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York City Comptroller says he's found "widespread mismanagement" with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's handling of the Access-A-Ride program.

The new audit released Tuesday by Scott Stringer's office found more than 31,000 scheduled rides were missed last year and said the MTA failed to monitor the situation or correct the problem.

"Access-A-Ride is absolutely essential for thousands of people to get around New York City every single day, yet this program stranded thousands of people, wasted millions of taxpayer dollars and caused untold harm and distress," Stringer said in a statement. "We found serious breakdowns in oversight and operations which have contributed to a culture of indifference and neglect by the MTA. After years of mismanagement, it's on the MTA to take action now."

Other problems in the audit included broken equipment. Manhattan resident Milagros Franco, who uses a motorized wheelchair, said she almost missed her birthday celebration.

"The lip of the lift wasn't going down, so I couldn't go on the lift," she told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "I nearly started crying."

Stringer said the MTA assigns Access-A-Ride trips through a network of 16 companies that provide service in specially equipped buses and cars and for-hire vehicles that provide transportation to ambulatory passengers.

He said the agency needs to make the drivers more accountable.

To see the full report, click here.

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