Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa says hard work is being done to ensure greater accessibility to transport for people living with disabilities.
Ramaphosa delivered a keynote speech at the Transport Summit on Universal Accessibility and said government has embarked on a process to ensure all forms are transport is sufficiently available to everyone, including those living with disability, SA Gov News said.
“The goal of a universally accessible national transport system is not only within reach. It is also a vital part of our efforts to build a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it,” Ramaphosa said.
The president added that a number of integrated transport programmes are being implemented across multiple municipalities in the country.
“The Public Transport Network Grant is one of the mechanisms being used to promote the implementation of universal design and universal access. There are now ten integrated public transport network municipalities receiving the grant, with specific conditions on universal accessibility.” he said.
We are confident that the incoming Transport Economic Regulator and the Public Transport Regulator will play important roles in supporting universal access.
This conference must move beyond diagnosis of challenges to concrete solutions.
As you go into your discussion groups,… https://t.co/4wT5g0cDnE
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 25, 2024
Ramaphosa highlighted the amount of transport modes that have put measures in place to ensure greater accessibility. The he Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has developed a universal access policy with norms and standards to ensure platforms are level, something the Gautrain has done since its inception too.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is working with airlines to implement parking spaces, assisted passenger lounges and designated private search areas to accommodate persons living with disability.
Meanwhile, the maritime sector is looking at ways to make water travel easier, while e-hailing services and the taxi industry should find ways to make travel easier for those with disabilities. He called for the improvement of road standards and signs so that pedestrian crossing infrastructure is accessible and integrated.
“Through the Presidential Working Group on Disability, we have sought to ensure that our policies, programmes and practices are inclusive and that persons with disabilities are able to participate fully and freely in all aspects of our national life,” Ramaphosa said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
