SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman is still fighting VIA Metropolitan Transit for a new bike after hers was smashed when the bus she was riding was involved in an accident in June.
Since our original Defenders story aired, Margarita McAuliffe has had a few offers from local businesses to replace her bike, but she's turned down their generous offers.
One of those offers came from Daniel Solis, an assistant manager at Sun and Ski at the The Rim. He said after seeing our story about McAuliffe and her damaged bike, he wanted to help her get back on the road.
"It just seems like she's getting the short end of the stick for the whole situation," Solis said. "I thought maybe we could donate a bike or at least get her one at a nice discount."
McAuliffe politely turned him down.
"I declined his offer, but I'm very grateful for it because it was very, very generous," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe, who relies on her bike as a primary form of transportation, said she turned down the free bike out of principle. She had already replaced her smashed bike with a new one two months ago to help her get around town, but that's not why she declined the offer for a new bike.
"I really feel like it's VIA's responsibility to make this right, not his or his store or anyone else in the community," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe said she's not trying to being difficult, just standing her ground for what she believes is right. She refuses to use VIA until they compensate her, and said she will continue to show up at their board meetings seeking a resolution.
"I haven't heard anything from VIA. I spoke at their 'citizens to be heard' session at their board meeting last week, and I haven't gotten any response," McAuliffe said. "I won't stop. I'll go back and back and back."
VIA isn't budging. Its leaders have refused to replace her bike because they believe the driver of the truck that was involved in the accident was responsible for the crash.
Solis said he wasn't expecting his offer of a free bike to be turned down but he understands.
"It surprised me a lot, and everyone here was like 'I would take a free bike instantly,'" Solis said. "The offer is still on the table."