Accessible Multimodal Public Transport - South Africa’s Future 1 Khibi Manana Department of...
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Accessible Multimodal Public Transport - South Africa’s Future 1 Khibi Manana Department of Transport Pretoria South Africa Amanda Gibberd Department of
Accessible Multimodal Public Transport - South Africas Future 1
Khibi Manana Department of Transport Pretoria South Africa Amanda
Gibberd Department of Transport Pretoria South Africa Jim Stanbury
Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd Cape Town South Africa Ari Sierlis
Quadriplegic Association of South Africa Durban, SA
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Contents 1. Purpose of the paper 2. Introduction 3.
Understanding the status quo of the existing system 4. Legislation
and policy guiding the Accessible Public Transport Strategy 5.
Defining an end goal: what is an accessible public transport
system? 6. Programmes in the Accessible Public Transport Strategy
7. Progress in creating an enabling environment 8. Progress in
upgrading existing public transport and developing integrated
public transport networks (IPTNs) 9. Lessons learnt 10. Conclusion
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The paper records the development of the Implementation
Strategy to guide the provision of Accessible Public Transport in
South Africa (Accessible Public Transport Strategy) This strategy
is the culmination of work over the last 10 to 20 years It has been
developed into a Programme of Action which is being implemented
through a new position within the Department Projects are now
materialising that break new ground in universal access both
nationally and internationally The implementation process has just
begun. Evaluation is needed in 5 to 10 years 1.Purpose of the paper
2
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2. Introduction South Africa is developing public transport
networks that can be used by everyone. These are called integrated
public transport networks (IPTNs). Public transport networks are
created by the integration of local rail, bus, mini bus taxi and
on-demand services; linking with long-distance services. The
National Department of Transport (NDoT) has prioritised Bus Rapid
Transport (BRT) and Rapid Rail as critical elements of the IPTN
where the municipal situation warrants such an intervention, i.e.
passenger numbers and demand indicate that a special intervention
is required. The NDoT is required by law to provide for passengers
with special categories of need in public transport.
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3. Understanding the status quo of the existing system Existing
road and rail public transport is generally not accessible to all
passengers. Some of the problems are: Lack of pre-travel
information Inaccessible route from origin to boarding point
Inaccessible infrastructure Inaccessible, overcrowded vehicles in
which to travel Inadequate customer services and customer care No
integrated network Localised improvements were being made, but
there was a need for a paradigm shift for government and operators
4
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South Africa is very clear on its approach to human rights. It
has adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol. This commits South
Africa to a universal design approach to the provision of all
services, including transport 5 3.Legislation and policy National
Legislation includes: Promotion of Equality and Prevention of
Unfair Discrimination Act (2000). The burden of proof lies with the
respondent not complainant The National Land Transport Act (2009).
This identifies passengers with special categories of need in
transport systems (people with disabilities, elderly people, young
children and those accompanying children) Public Transport Strategy
(2007). 100% Accessible! Accessible Public Transport Implementation
Strategy and Action Plan (2011 Draft). A series of programmes that
can be implemented over time.
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Accessible Public Transport Strategy proposes that a
universally accessible system is one that consists of: Mainstream
system that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent
possible, and Complemented by demand responsive services which
provide for people for whom the mainstream service does not meet
their needs 6 4.Defining the end goal: what is an accessible public
transport system?
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The network is based on the concept of the travel chain: 7 4.
Defining the end goal (cont) The Department of Transports goal is
to put in place travel chains that can be used by the whole of
society throughout the country, in all public transport networks.
Plan a Trip Give Feedback on trip Get to pick up point Get to
destination Get into the vehicle Get out of the vehicle Make the
Journey Travel Chain This requires universally accessible:
Transport planning Operations Marketing & communications
Customer care Fare systems Passenger information Infrastructure
Vehicles
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The Accessible Public Transport Strategy was accepted through
workshops and presentations to stakeholders This included transport
providers and passenger user groups 8 5.Programmes in the
Accessible Public Transport Strategy Accessible Public Transport
Strategy Five Thrusts of the Implementation Strategy Creation of an
enabling environment Continuous upgrading of existing services
(Modal Upgrading) Provision of Integrated Rapid Public Transport
Networks (IRPTNs) and Integrated Public Transport Networks Roll-out
of Rural Transport Packages Legacy projects (for example the 2010
FIFA World Cup) 1 2 5 34
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National funding of public transport networks to assist the 12
largest cities to provide infrastructure and procure technical
support, and for rail network improvements National funding of
public transport operations to improve accessibility of vehicles
and services National funding for road safety to improve
non-motorized transport for pedestrians Funding for the
recapitalization of mini-bus taxis so that they are safer and
easier to get into Universal access plan as a funding output of
some grants and now being voluntarily adopted by other modes, as a
means of complying with national legislation A New version of the
Building Regulations has been published as a minimum standard,
which is more in line with international norms 9 6.Progress in
creating an enabling environment: mechanisms
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10 There is an access auditor working within the Department, to
oversee and audit the work of the access consultants Access
consultants work on each transport mode, to write and implement the
Universal Access Plan; assisting the work of the infrastructurel
and operations teams They all have a vigorous understanding of: The
social model of disability and functional requirements of
passengers Universal access within all aspects of the travel chain
National legislation and policy 6.Progress in creating an enabling
environment: access experts
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Network development Integrating all modes of public transport
Improvements to Non-motorised transport (NMT) Better pedestrian
infrastructure within 500m of each station / stop (both trunk and
feeder) New cycle lanes Responds to South Africas commitments to
COP17 (Prioritising and increasing walking and cycling) 11
7.Progress in developing new IPTNs
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12 7.Progress in developing new IPTNs (cont) Gautrain High
Speed Rail Links Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International
Airport Provides world class travel for all and sets new standards
for South Africa beyond the minimum standards of the Building
Regulations Appointment of an access consultant to review and deal
with issues on an on-going basis An internal position has been
created to deal with customer relations issues and identify those
that can be mitigated immediately Regular discussions with the
stakeholder group, the South African Disability Alliance to monitor
and improve accessibility as needed, within an agreed
timeframe
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13 7.Progress in developing new IPTNs (cont) Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) systems Accessible feeder systems are being in place
including fully accessible low floor buses New trunk system are in
operation in Cape Town and Johannesburg with a review of high vs.
low floor. The debate is currently in progress. Three more BRT
systems will start to run during the period 2013-2015
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14 Passenger rail After years of underinvestment, a substantial
budget has been allocated to upgrade rail infrastructure and
purchase new, accessible, rolling stock Platform heights are being
adjusted on selected stations so that level boarding is achieved,
and station infrastructure is being upgraded Customer service
issues are gaining momentum and a proper forum for dealing with
problems is being established The Passenger Rail Agency now has a
universal access policy and is developing a universal design access
plan 7.Progress in upgrading existing public transport (cont)
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15 7.Progress in upgrading existing public transport Private
bus / taxi operators Some private operators are purchasing
accessible buses and metered taxis although not yet legally
required to do so Discussions have begun with bus operators on how
to bring in accessible vehicles that are financially viable A
process of identifying obstructive or out of date complementary
legislation has begun Discussions have begun with the bus and taxi
industry on the introduction of Universal Design Access Plans
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16 8.Lessons learnt South Africa has come a long way and still
has a long way to go. However, we have achieved a significant
paradigm shift. Some lessons learnt include: Political will and
champions are essential (Ministers and Mayors resolutions on
universally accessible public transport are being prepared) Policy
and legislation is in place but the core difficulty is to get
acceptance that passengers with special categories of need have a
right to use public transport A programme and system for
implementation which includes monitoring and evaluation is required
to keep the process moving over the required time period A
Universal Design Access Plan developed by an experienced Access
Consultant is essential
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17 8.Lessons learnt Government funding needs to include the
condition to create universal accessible transport services
Partnership and co-operation between all spheres of government and
transport operators is vital. Especially to resolve initial
resistance based upon costs (real or perceived) and identification
of beneficiaries Capacity building of every one who is involved is
required. The skill in universal access is not available throughout
the country nor in all sectors. Awareness training of front line
staff is essential Stakeholder groups should be as involved as
possible but groups are fragmented making consultations difficult.
The access consultant plays a key role in involving stakeholders at
local level
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18 9.Conclusion Ten years ago South Africa had no accessible
public transport. Now every new system is being made universally
accessible and existing systems are being upgraded over time We are
achieving this through partnerships, or as better put by Nelson
Mandela: Those who are ready to join hands can overcome the
greatest challenges