Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Angola resident Tracy Boyle dedicated her Buffalo Bills game days last year to helping those with special needs get to games at Highmark Stadium, thanks to her low-speed vehicle she has dubbed the "Bills Buggie".
However, she's awaiting approval from the Orchard Park Town Board to get back on the road and provide her services for Bills fans once more.
It all started two years ago for Boyle while helping her cousin on Sheldon Road direct cars into her spot.
"There was a woman that was walking with a walking boot, and had walked from the top of Sheldon. It bothered me that there's no transportation for people of any kind of special needs, so I went out and I bought a low-speed vehicle, got it insured and registered, got Bills stuff all over it and decided I was going to help people get to the stadium," said Boyle in an interview with WBEN.
Boyle was able to get fans that needed a lift as far as the Bills Store along Abbott Road.
"I've had wheelchairs, amputees, pregnant ladies, cardiac issues, whatever; and they're grateful because they can continue to tailgate with their family members and still get to the game," Boyle said. "A lot of people have said that walking up the grate is taxing to them, and just having to walk back down the hill is a lot easier, especially when they're in the wheelchair. So I just started taking people up as far as I can."
According to Boyle, New York State Troopers and deputies with the Erie County Sheriff's Office were aware of her buggie and were supportive of her services. She never had any issues with any officers in Orchard Park with the exception of one this preseason.
"This year, I did the two preseason games with no issue. I was on the [second] preseason game when one of the officers from Orchard Park decided to say I couldn't do it. His reason being is that the road is posted at 45 miles an hour, and my vehicle is good for roads 35-and-less. My thing was that the road is closed, and the police are directing traffic and the rate and speed of the traffic," Boyles explained.
The officer added that Boyle needed a permit from the town, which she admitted she never obtained. It was the next day she went down to the Town of Orchard Park and applied for a $100 permit that was denied.
"It was denied because two reasons: First was the speed limit, and the Town of Orchard Park does not recognize golf carts to be on any road. And I said I am not a golf cart, I am a registered low-speed vehicle, fully insured. So it came down to the speed limit," Boyle noted.
"According to the DMV, if they are directing traffic, they supersede any posted signs for direction or speed."
A full-time RN of 30 years, Boyle has since received support from the community to allow her to get back on the road and support fans who could utilize her services.
"There was a petition that went around that people wanted to sign, so I got, I think it was 217 signatures, and people still wanted to sign it. But I said, 'Hey, I turned it into the Town Supervisor [Joe Liberti]," she noted.
Boyle does not charge for the services, but does accept donations that she passes along to charity.
"If people want to donate, I am taking collections for Make-A-Wish," Boyle said. "Right now, I have $208 for Make-A-Wish. I was hoping to get a little bit better to present that to them, and they don't even know I'm doing it."
As she awaits word from the Orchard Park Town Board of her permit, all Boyle is looking to do is provide the services for people who go to the Bills games.
"A lot of them have said they want to feel just like the rest of their family. They want to tailgate with their family and be part of the experience, and then be able to go to the game," she said.
WBEN attempted to reach out to Liberti for comment on the matter on Thursday, but received no response.
"I want to be able to provide the services for people who go to the Bills games" - Tracy Boyle
"I want to be able to provide the services for people who go to the Bills games" - Tracy Boyle
