BUFFALO, N.Y. — Some NFTA paratransit riders said they are frustrated with service after having rides canceled on them due to lack of drivers.

Israel Cruz uses a wheelchair and his primary method of transportation is paratransit. Usually he schedules his ride online at least 24 hours in advance, has a 30 minute window to be ready, and pays $4 one way. Most recently, he said two trips were canceled, one to hang out with friends at Canalside.

“It’s just really annoying because it’s like, yeah, you’re waiting so long to make something like that happen, and then out of nowhere, you can’t go because you can’t be picked up,” Cruz said.

NFTA Director of Public Affairs Helen Tederous said the company is facing a labor shortage of mechanics and operators.

NFTA needs 100 operators and 75 vehicles to keep Paratransit operating as usual, but right now she said it is short about 15 paratransit drivers and 57 big bus drivers.

“When you talk about the paratransit community, it does take a different immediacy, and it’s something that we do care very much about and want to address those issues,” Tederous said.

She said even with the shortage, the NFTA still averages a 97.7% trip delivery rate for paratransit, but said it is still trying to improve.

“We are striving, it’s very difficult for all of us. It’s not an excuse, right? It’s not an excuse, it’s just the environment, and the challenging environment that we’re living in,” Tederous said.

NFTA received a $750,000 grant with the help of Sen. Tim Kennedy and disability advocate Stephanie Speaker. The funds will be used for a paratransit study. It is still in its beginning stages, but Tederous said they are working on submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP) soon. She said the goal is to find direction to make improvements to services. She said she hopes in the meantime the labor shortage eases up, because recruitment campaigns and incentives have not been very helpful in hiring.

Anyone interested in applying to work at NFTA can head to this link.