Make buses, shelters differently abled friendly, say activists

Stressing that such facilities should be in all bus shelters, activists have demanded that the officials concerned expedite the works. 

According to sources, there are over 1,800 bus stops under the GCC and its suburbs. Further, the officials are planning to construct 1,200 additional bus shelters. Earlier, the MTC had fitted lifts in a sizable number of buses for the convenience of disabled people. However, as the officials failed to carry out maintenance works, they became dysfunctional. 

When DTNext contacted them, an MTC official said the corporation was aware of the issue. “We have already taken up such works in around 850 bus shelters and are gradually undertaking the works in the rest of the shelters,” said an official. He also refuted the claim that the corporation was constructing ramps in select bus shelters. 

“A proposal has been sent to the government to fit hydraulic lifts in buses. Once the government allots funds, we will fit them in the vehicles. Though it is not possible for all the MTC buses to have the system, buses plying on the long-routes would have lifts,” the official noted. Activists have stressed that the GCC officials should not just construct differently abled friendly bus shelters, they should maintain them as well. Smitha Sathasivam, a member of Disabled Rights Alliance, said, “The officials have constructed ramps and railings in some of the bus shelters. However, they are either very narrow or unfit for users. The MTC buses should stop at the ramps. Most of the drivers overshoot the ramp.” 

The Union Urban Ministry had issued a guideline regarding the public transportation of differently-abled persons for the officials to follow diligently.