Theres still lots of confusion surrounding our industrys legal obligation to provide ADA-accessible buses.

There is little confusion for line operators.

Depending on the companys size, specific rules are spelled out in the regulations. If youre running to a casino, and are selling individual tickets, you are a line-run operation.

Theres been some concern that not all carriers are complying, but you dont want to be caught on the wrong side of this issue.

Sadly, charter companies have to make decisions. Under current law, theres no mandate to ever own a wheelchair lift-equipped bus. However, you are obligated, on 48-hours notice, to provide a bus that meets ADA requirements. If you fail, you can be fined.

Many have determined that they wont own a lift-equipped bus, and will farm jobs out when necessary. This is a legal, and in some cases, good, strategy. It does come with all the risks of subbing work -- loss of quality control, potential liability and even the possible loss of a client.

Operating accessible coaches is not all gloom and doom.

In some markets many charter groups include wheelchair passengers. You wont get this work if you cant serve them. Several companies have quietly spread the word in the disabled community that they seek this business.

Schools, and similar institutions, often will give a multi-bus move to a company able to supply a single lift-equipped coach as part of the mix.

Clever operators have leveraged accessible coaches into a marketing tool. One company cycled the lift enough to literally wear it out . . . and made money doing it.

If you buy it, they will come.

If you frequently operate for line carriers, they may provide more work in return for your ability to serve wheelchair customers. Owning one or more accessible coaches demonstrates a measure of good will, should you ever have to accommodate a disabled customer.

If it makes sense to operate accessible coaches, there are a number of things to keep in mind.

First, there are grants available to help buy a lift or retrofit a coach with a lift. Trade associations like the United Motorcoach Association and the American Bus Association can help.

If youre a line carrier, and arent sure of the specifics of your obligation, they may be able to clarify things.

When buying new, there are several options regarding where the lift is installed in the coach. Each has advantages, and none reduce passenger capacity (when there is no wheelchair patron).

A mid-ship lift is closer to the bus entrance, in event of a fire, or accident. The center of any vehicle offers better ride quality, and some folks just dont want to ride in the 'back of the bus.'

Rear-mounted lifts use no baggage space, and marginally mobile passengers may be able to use the lavatory. Your choice should be influenced by the kind of work the coach will be doing.

Consider specifying a fire suppression system on any lift-equipped coach, for obvious reasons.

Its crucial to train drivers. Clearly, they need to know how to operate the lift, and practice regularly. This can prevent a repeat of the kamikaze wheelchair episode . . . where a driver and the wheelchair passenger hed just lowered to the pavement were attacked from above. A second passenger lost control of his powered chair and launched himself through the wheelchair-lift door, landing atop the unsuspecting pair. The resulting glom of twisted metal and limbs was sorted out by -- you guessed it -- a lawyer. (True story; Im not smart enough to make this stuff up.) Train a driver, starve a lawyer.

Less obvious, but equally important, drivers need to know how to treat disabled passengers. Coach malfunctions may be more trying for the disabled, so there should be some training in how to handle those events. These folks are valued customers, treating them that way will set the tone for the whole charter group.

Lifts need to be cycled regularly, and maintained. In recent years theyve grown more reliable. But, theres little doubt that theyre like a muscle -- use it or lose it.

When the ADA first became law, there was fear that members of the disabled community would tweak us by requesting wheelchair-equipped coaches on a 'gotcha" basis. That has only happened rarely; they seem to be playing fair -- perhaps because the motorcoach industry has made a good-faith effort to serve them.

For some operators, seeing the disabled as an opportunity, rather than a problem, has translated into substantial profits.

Dave Millhouser is an account representative for ABC Companies. Contact him at: dmillhouser@abc-companies.com.