Transcript The role of the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA

Accessible Transport
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Ari Seirlis
National Director(QASA)
The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA)
“developing the full potential of quadriplegics & paraplegics”
What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
The ability to access jobs, education, and public services is a fundamental part of
human development.
As a result of transport being almost exclusively in the hands of private vehicles and
uncoordinated paratransit operators, Cities now suffer traffic congestion, air &
noise pollution, accidents and a loss of sense of community.
BRT is recognised as the solution to providing high quality mass transit services in a
cost effective basis to urban areas by providing a functional network of public
transport corridors. This puts the community first and transforms cities into more
liveable spaces and provides great equity across the entire population
Bus Rapid Transit is a high quality bus based transit system that delivers fast,
comfortable, and cost effective urban mobility through the provision of segregated
right-of-way infrastructure.
An Accessible Travel Chain (incl. sidewalks and pedestrian crossings) also
integrating non motorised transport can create a sustainable and effective, healthy
urban environment.
The BRT transport system comes out of successful models in; Curithiba and Bogata
in Columbia and Brisbane in Australia.
The principle ingredient of a successful BRT system is not technical skill: It is the
political will to make it happen.
The DoT has committed to BRT!
The Disability sector through SADA, says “we will be part of this from the
beginning to the end”
Legislation & Policy
The Constitution: Act 108 of 1996 Chapter 2
The Bill of Rights:
Section 9 Equality
No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more
grounds in terms of subsection (3)…including disability.
National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination.
Section 9 Human Dignity
Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
Section 24 Environment
Everyone has the right- to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing;
Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), Act 52
of 2002. The Equality Act
Chapter 2 Prevention, Prohibition and Elimination of Unfair Discrimination, Hate Speech and
Harassment.
9. Prohibition of unfair discrimination on ground of disability
Subject to section 6, no person may unfairly discriminate against any person on the ground of disability,
includinga) denying or removing from any person who has a disability, any supporting or enabling facility necessary
for their functioning in society;
b) contravening the code of practice or regulations of the South African Bureau of Standards that govern
environmental accessibility;
c) failing to eliminate obstacles that unfairly limit or restrict persons with disabilities from enjoying equal
opportunities or failing to take steps to reasonably accommodate the needs of such persons.
Legislation & Policy
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (3rd May 2008)
Article 1: The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and
ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their
inherent dignity.
Article 4: (b) To take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or
abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute
discrimination against persons with disabilities;
Article 9:Accessibility
1. To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully
in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to
persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical
environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including
information and communications technologies and systems, and to other
facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural
areas. These measures, which shall include the identification and elimination of
obstacles and barriers to accessibility, shall apply to, inter alia:
(a) Buildings, roads, transportation and other indoor and outdoor facilities……
Legislation & Policy
DOT Public Transport Strategy (March 2007)
Accelerated Modal Upgrading
Short term transformation of Bus, Taxi, Rail services
Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks
An affordable but rapid service to minimise travel times and ensure safe,
convenient and comfortable travel. All these services to be 100% accessible.
Non motorised transport facilities will be pout in place. Long distance coach and
rail facilities to be improved and accessible.
By 2014 High Quality Rail (SARCC) & BRT Corridors (12 cities, 6 Rural
districts)
By 2020 more than 85% of a metro City’s population must be within
1km of an Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network trunk
From Operator controlled to Municipal controlled fully integrated
DoT Task Team on Accessible Transport
The DoT formed the Task Team on Accessible Transport to initiate the
implementation of the DoT Public Transport Strategy.
The South African Disability Alliance (SADA) mandated QASA and NCPPDSA to
lead all “Access” issues in the sector.
Khibi Manana
Ibrahim Seedat
Jim Stanbury
Karin Liebenberg
Ari Seirlis
Therina Wentzel
(Chief Director: Public Transport Strategy) [email protected]
(DoT)
[email protected]
(Arcus Gibb)
[email protected]
(Arcus Gibb)
[email protected]
(SADA)
[email protected]
(SADA)
[email protected]
The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA)
“developing the full potential of quadriplegics & paraplegics”
The SADA Mandate and Role of the Disability Sector
It is the intention and mandate of the Task Team to ensure:
- A fully integrated, Universally designed and affordable transport
facility which will cater for all “special needs” passengers.
- This is to be evident at all information and booking services, platforms
and stations and all busses.
- All Complimentary Bus services and Feeder Bus services to and from
the BRT must be accessible.
- Commuter Forums to include representation from the disability sector
in all cities & rural areas.
- Safety of passengers considered in all modes.
- A door to door service available for those passengers who cannot
safely navigate the BRT and this can be operated by appropriate NGO’s
- All contractors and service providers to BRT must be sensitized and
trained.
- Employment and Empowerment opportunities must be available and
accessible for persons with disabilities.
- Consultation with the Task Team members and Commuter Forum
members on all decisions taken
Interaction with Cities & Rural Districts
City
Visit
Progress
eThekweni
May 2008
Slow progress, need to re-visit
Buffalo City
October 2008
Planning started
Tswane
May 2008
Planning started
Johannesburg
May 2008, November 2008, December
2008
1st Station reviewed (Joubert Park)
Cape Town
May 2008
Planning started
Port Elizabeth
June 2008
Planning started
Bloemfontein
August 2008
Slow progress, need to re-visit
Ekureleni
December 2008
Planning started
Pietermaritzburg
February 2009
Very little progress and the Task team has concerns
Nelspruit
Polokwane
Rustenburg
Acknowledgements & References
BRT Accessibility Guidelines: Tom Rickert
www.globalride-sf.org
Bus Rapid Transit: Planning Guide (June 2007) Lloyd Wright
The Department of Transport (DoT)
JHB Dept. of Transport
Arcus Gibb
Joan Seirlis Architect
YouTube Videos to watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA4IR7PvO6I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guodaBkDPP0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDnkzNh9qBs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXI4-5R8pk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZl1N6bTp_M
Joubert Park Station ready for review
The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA)
“developing the full potential of quadriplegics & paraplegics”