Officials inspect Pretoria public transport accessibility
Some of the issues inspected included wheelchair-friendly Gautrain platforms and Areyeng buses, sound enabled traffic lights as well as tactile pavements.
Officials from the department of transport and the Tshwane metro accompanied Pretoria residents living with disabilities on an inspection of the city’s public transport system.
The inspection started at the Centurion Gautrain station on Friday morning.
From the station, visually impaired and disabled residents accompanied by transport minister Fikile Mbalula and Tshwane roads and transport MMC Shiela Lynn Senkubuge made their way to the Pretoria CBD via an A Re Yeng bus and minibus taxis.
Some of the issues inspected included wheelchair-friendly Gautrain platforms and Areyeng buses, audible traffic lights as well as tactile pavements.
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A similar inspection had been held in June during which several issues were highlighted.
These included inconsistent tactile pavements and the audible traffic lights not working.
Following the inspection Mbalula labeled the public transport system in Tshwane as the best in the country.
“However, while the measures taken are a good start, more must be done to provide safe, convenient and affordable transport for those living with disabilities,” he said.
“It is the department of transport’s responsibility to cater to them. It is not a favour but a responsibility of government on all levels.”
Mbalula said the inspection showcased to himself and officials what those living with disabilities are going through on a daily basis.
Senkubuge said the metro remained committed to developing an integrated transport system.
“A key aspect of that should be accessibility,” she said.
“We will continue to work closely with organisations such as BlindSA to ensure all modes are accessible to everyone.”
Senkubuge said this was non-negotiable.
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