Challenges to inclusive Bus Rapid Transit: The role of public

participation

Tom RickertAccess Exchange International

TRANSED2012/New Delhi

PURPOSETo promote effective & productive public participation, by passengers who benefit from inclusive design, in (1) BRT planning (2) BRT operation.

BRT is expanding around the world

In India alone . . .Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Goa, Mumbai, Indore, Rajkot, Surat, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Vishakhapatnam, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Vijayawada, Kolkata

A common problem:

Ignoring a needed access featureExample: stairs instead of ramps

A common problem:

A feature that looks accessible but it isn’tExample: Excessive platform-to-

bus gap

A common problem:

Need to create an obstacle to address an unanticipated problemExample: Creating an obstacle in a

ramped pedestrian tunnel to keep out motorcycles

A common problem:

Lack of an overall vision for accessExample: Failure to promote

pedestrian access away from stations or trunk lines.

Focus groups

• 6-12 persons• for single categories (e.g., wheelchair users) or multiple categories (e.g., those with different disabilities)• periodic, or at start of process

Focus group in Mexico City

Advisory committees: for technical input• ongoing• input at appropriate levels into planning, design, pedestrian access, driver training, operations

Checking a prototype platform in San Francisco

Mexico City Metrobús: advisors and staff

Advisor and staff test tactile guideway on Mexico City Metrobús

Cali: Staff and advisors

Advisory committees: for political support

• Disability groups should be natural allies.• Many other stakeholders: neighborhood groups, sidewalk vendors, informal transit operators

Passing a funding increase for transportation in San Francisco

Celebration in San Francisco

A valid process: proactive

Need to take the initiative and direct/channel public participation instead of being scared and running from it.

Public meeting in Cali

Met him on TransMilenio

Invited him to a workshop

Customer input in El Salvador

A valid process: transparent

• information & agendas available• accessible formats• transportation to meetings if required.

A valid process: fair to participants

• equal opportunity for each person• not taken over by 1-2 strong participants• enforce mutual respect• everyone has opportunity to speak once before others speak a second time(put the rules of the process in writing!)

A valid process: taking responsibilities seriously

• written expectations• show up on time, mutual respect, participate in training to increase quality of input

A valid process: trained to competency

• All stakeholders need to understand the issues, timelines, and challenges.• Be trained in use of the system (e.g. boarding skills)An accessible BRT corridor may be the first opportunity in a disabled person’s life to actually board a public transit vehicle.

South Africa DoT Advisors Meeting

References

• World Bank, 2006: Bus Rapid Transit Accessibility Guidelines

• World Bank, 2009: Transit Access Training Toolkit

• World Bank, 2010: Technical and operational challenges to inclusive Bus Rapid Transit all at http://go.worldbank.org/MQUMJCL1W1

• AEI, 2011: Universal access to Bus Rapid Transit: Design, operation, and working with the community at tom@globalride-sf.org.