[sustran] Brief intro to Access for Persons with Disabilities to Public Transit

[SUSTRAN Resource Centre]

This text is from a pamphlet by a USA-based group, Access Exchange International, which focuses on this issue in developing countries. It was passed to us by Naziaty Yaacob who attended the TRANSED conference in perth recently.  I hope it may be useful to some of you.   Access Exchange International has also published a useful 26-page well-illustrated booklet on the issue, "Mobility for All: Accessible Transportation Around the World". See the end of this message for their contact details. 


Access for Persons with Disabilities to Public Transit: Practical steps for Less Wealthy Countries


Based on their successful use in different countries, here are some "first steps" towards the development of accessible transportation for persons with disabilities in less wealthy countries. Some of these ideas are virtually without cost, others are very low-cost, while some are moderate cost. Not all are relevant in any given situation, but they represent "first steps" on the road to accessible transportation.


No-cost or very low-cost

1. Access to the built environment: Advocate that all new construction of buildings and transit stations be accessible to disabled persons (curb ramps, ramps to entrances, properly designed bathrooms, etc.). If it is possible to obtain legislation requiring such access, print and distribute recommendations, provide directories of facilities that are in compliance and encourage people to patronise them, etc.

2. Provide public transit information in accessible formats: braille, cassette tape, and large print are examples.

3. Provide low-cost aides to assist semi-ambulatory passengers to use transit vehicles: examples include more vertical stanchions, well located handles on doors of vehicles, or steps or rails painted in "safety yellow". Note that these improvements would be welcome by all passengers!

4. If needed, provide larger print destination signs in buses to assist passengers with low- vision. Again, all passengers would benefit.

5. Train bus drivers to call out stops for blind passengers. If this is impractical on crowded buses, it may be more practical at off-peak hours.

6. Invite members of the disability community--and especially blind persons--to familiarize themselves with a bus in non-revenue service, to assist in boarding and riding on the vehicle when it is crowded.

7. Provide "travel tips" to the disabled community, concerning the times and places where vehicles may be less crowded.


Moderate cost

8. For door-to-door services, consider modifying taxis with ramps for use by wheelchair riders.

9. When obtaining new or replacement vehicles, consider low-floored models which are now used more and more in Western Europe and Canada. In all events, make sure replacement buses have wide enough doors to admit passengers with mobility aids such as walkers.

10. Consider ramped raised platforms at key stops to board buses and trams. A lightweight bridge can be attached to the platform, or it may be stored on board the vehicle (as is done in Curitiba, Brazil, and in San Francisco and Sacramento, California in the USA). The driver then positions the bridge to span the gap between the raised platform and the floor of the transit vehicle.

11. Consider the installation of ramps or relatively low-cost wheelchair lifts on locally manufactured buses. Companies in the USA and elsewhere offer a wide range of products.

12. Perhaps side-cars or trailers can be attached to modified motorbikes or motorcycles, designed for use by a passenger riding a wheelchair. In some countries, this may be an alternative when lift- or ramp-equipped vans are not available. Non-motorized vehicles can also be modified to carry passengers with disabilities.

13. Consider a subsystem of buses dedicated just for use by persons with disabilities and elders. This is not ideal, but in extremely crowded transit systems it may be one answer to providing a transit option during peak hours.

14. Consider some variation of the "service route" concept developed in Sweden and now used in some cities in the USA and elsewhere. This system uses smaller accessible vehicles which serve all passengers on routes of special interest to elders and persons with disabilities.

15 Start with small pilot projects and learn from them. For example, make two key sites on one bus line accessible with raised platforms. In some cities, two Metro stations (e.g., at the ends of a line) could be made accessible by ramp or elevator. Start a small accessible van feeder service to the bus stops or Metro stations. Remember to check with disability groups to learn what they really need! 

Accessible transportation is built over many years. Small projects capture the attention of the public, provide credit for transit agencies, and set the stage for public support for funding of larger projects in the future. Often such public support also helps transit agencies to develop a better community base for other funding as well.


For further information, contact:  

Access Exchange International, 112  San Pablo Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA. 
Telephone:  +1 415  661  6355, Fax: +1  415 661  1543, E-mail: globalride-sf at worldnet.att.net