Blind commuters left in the lurch as Cape Town's Dial-a-Ride service restricts access
Image: Supplied
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating two complaints against the City of Cape Town's Dial-a-Ride service, following its announcement to exclusively transport eligible wheelchair users, excluding the blind community.
Blind commuters, many of whom work in and around the City, have been given until September 8 to find alternative transport to their workplaces, as the Dial-a-Ride service said it was oversubscribed and suffering severe capacity challenges with its R28.2 million annual budget being insufficient for the current R40 million operating costs.
They announced that effective September 8, the service will exclusively transport eligible wheelchair users and those with severe walking impairments between Monday to Friday during peak periods, with minimal weekend and public holiday services for work-related travel.
The trips will be strictly between work and home and not recreational activities.
The Western Cape Network on Disability has since called on the City to halt their restrictions, engage with role players, and commit to implementing a fully accessible, integrated public transport system in line with the Constitution.
The SAHRC on Tuesday confirmed they received complaints against the City's Dial-a-Ride service.
'To confirm that the WCPO (Western Cape Provincial Office) has received two complaints in this regard.
'To confirm that there are matters currently under investigation as lodged against Dial-a-Ride.'
Board chairperson of the Western Cape Network on Disability, Michelle Botha, said the suspension of services to the blind was an infringement of human rights, and placed them in a position of vulnerability.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'Under the new criteria, the service will only transport certain wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments, and only between home and work during peak hours,' she said.
'All trips to education, healthcare, recreation, community activities, sport, and other essential services will be cut. Blind and visually impaired users will be excluded entirely.
'This decision is not simply a budgetary adjustment. It is a denial of the constitutional right to equality, dignity, and full participation in society. For many disabled people, DaR (Dial-a-Ride) is the only form of accessible transport available. The claim that there are viable alternatives such as MyCiTi buses, specialist e-hailing, or NGO transport is misleading.
'MyCiTi does not serve all areas, its infrastructure is not fully accessible, and hardware often fails. Golden Arrow buses remain inaccessible despite legislation. Specialist e-hailing is prohibitively expensive for most, and may still refuse users with assistance dogs despite their official policy.
'NGO transport is already overstretched, despite the fact that providing public transport is not the mandate of disability organisations.'
Amanda Matthee has been using Dial-a-Ride for over 20 years and is disappointed by the City's decision to exclude the blind from transportation services.
Image: Supplied
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Blind commuters left in the lurch as Cape Town's Dial-a-Ride service restricts access
Dial-a-Ride has announced changes to their services as of September 8. Image: Supplied The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating two complaints against the City of Cape Town's Dial-a-Ride service, following its announcement to exclusively transport eligible wheelchair users, excluding the blind community. Blind commuters, many of whom work in and around the City, have been given until September 8 to find alternative transport to their workplaces, as the Dial-a-Ride service said it was oversubscribed and suffering severe capacity challenges with its R28.2 million annual budget being insufficient for the current R40 million operating costs. They announced that effective September 8, the service will exclusively transport eligible wheelchair users and those with severe walking impairments between Monday to Friday during peak periods, with minimal weekend and public holiday services for work-related travel. The trips will be strictly between work and home and not recreational activities. The Western Cape Network on Disability has since called on the City to halt their restrictions, engage with role players, and commit to implementing a fully accessible, integrated public transport system in line with the Constitution. The SAHRC on Tuesday confirmed they received complaints against the City's Dial-a-Ride service. 'To confirm that the WCPO (Western Cape Provincial Office) has received two complaints in this regard. 'To confirm that there are matters currently under investigation as lodged against Dial-a-Ride.' Board chairperson of the Western Cape Network on Disability, Michelle Botha, said the suspension of services to the blind was an infringement of human rights, and placed them in a position of vulnerability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Under the new criteria, the service will only transport certain wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments, and only between home and work during peak hours,' she said. 'All trips to education, healthcare, recreation, community activities, sport, and other essential services will be cut. Blind and visually impaired users will be excluded entirely. 'This decision is not simply a budgetary adjustment. It is a denial of the constitutional right to equality, dignity, and full participation in society. For many disabled people, DaR (Dial-a-Ride) is the only form of accessible transport available. The claim that there are viable alternatives such as MyCiTi buses, specialist e-hailing, or NGO transport is misleading. 'MyCiTi does not serve all areas, its infrastructure is not fully accessible, and hardware often fails. Golden Arrow buses remain inaccessible despite legislation. Specialist e-hailing is prohibitively expensive for most, and may still refuse users with assistance dogs despite their official policy. 'NGO transport is already overstretched, despite the fact that providing public transport is not the mandate of disability organisations.' Amanda Matthee has been using Dial-a-Ride for over 20 years and is disappointed by the City's decision to exclude the blind from transportation services. Image: Supplied
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Boreholes bring relief to Sokhulumi and Langkloof communities
On August 8, the Sokhulumi and Langkloof communities received four new boreholes from the metro, as part of a plan to stabilise their water supply. According to Ward 105 councillor Kgaugelo Phiri, the struggle for a reliable water supply has lasted many years. 'For a very long time, we have been struggling with the water supply. We would go for days without water because we depend on water tankers,' he said. Phiri said that when the water tankers did not deliver, it meant no water for the community. He said the boreholes were a better alternative for residents. 'Residents will now have a place where they can get water if water tankers don't come.' Phiri said that, however, the boreholes will not be enough for everyone. 'Although we have seven boreholes in the community, residents still get water supply [from tankers] once a week, and in some sections they don't [have water] at all,' he said. 'Boreholes can get damaged easily, and in dry seasons, you will find that there is not enough water to pump from underground,' he added. He then said a permanent water supply solution is required to supply the whole community with water. 'The boreholes are just a temporary solution; what we need is a bulk water system to solve… water supply issues,' said Phiri. Tshwane mayor, Nasiphi Moya, said the delivery of boreholes was part of extended service delivery, which aims to better serve the rural parts of Tshwane. She noted that for years, residents of this area had suffered from an unreliable water supply and had relied on tankers, but that the distance between them and Bronkhorstspruit made delivery difficult. She stated that a consistent water supply could not be guaranteed after previously installed boreholes had malfunctioned. The boreholes, donated by Rand Water, have a capacity of 20 000 litres and are attached to a purification system to ensure the water is clean. 'The boreholes are linked to communal taps in the area. We are grateful to Rand Water for extending a hand when the city approached the entity for assistance,' she said. Moya highlighted that the Constitution recognises the human right to sufficient water access, saying that the council is responsible for ensuring that residents receive this service. She added that the visit to the region formed part of the metro's recently launched Integrated Urban Management Programme (IUMP). She then said IUMP teams attended to services, including cleaning of illegal dumping sites, grading of the roads to the cemetery and the sports fields, as well as repair of potholes, and repair of other faults. 'We had made a promise that there would be no forgotten communities in Tshwane. We are committed to… ensuring that communities which were once neglected receive the service delivery they deserve,' she concluded. ALSO READ: Two cars hit spikes on N14 in sudden resurgence of road attacks Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
New boreholes installed in Langkloof and Sokhulumi to combat water scarcity
The newly-installed boreholes to the rural communities of Langkloof and Sokhulumi have brought about much-needed relief from water shortages. Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane Residents in the rural communities of Langkloof and Sokhulumi have finally received much-needed relief from their long-standing water shortages. This is after the City of Tshwane, in collaboration with Rand Water, have installed boreholes linked to communal taps in the area. Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, pointed out the significance of the development, saying it will greatly alleviate the water struggles faced by the communities. The handover comes after previous boreholes in the area malfunctioned, exacerbating the plight of the communities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading According to Moya, the water facilities are part of efforts to extend service delivery to Tshwane's rural residents. "The region had relied on water tankers for the delivery of water, but due to the remoteness of the area from Bronkhorstspruit, consistent water supply could not be guaranteed after previously installed boreholes had malfunctioned," she said. Rand Water donated four boreholes with a 20,000-litre capacity, equipped with a purification system to ensure clean water. The boreholes are connected to communal taps in the area, providing residents with access to clean water. Moya expressed gratitude to Rand Water for its assistance, emphasising the government's responsibility to uphold the human right to sufficient water access as enshrined in the Constitution. The handover of boreholes formed part of the city's recently launched integrated urban management programme. During the visit, the city not only handed over boreholes but also provided various services, including helping residents register for the Expanded Public Works Programme. The urban management teams got to work, tackling various tasks such as road marking maintenance, pothole patching, grass cutting, cleaning up illegal dump sites and stormwater channels, grading roads to the cemetery and sports field, and repairing high-mast lights. Moya said: "We had made a promise that there will be no forgotten communities in Tshwane. We are committed to our mandate to ensure that communities that were once neglected receive the service delivery they deserve." Member of the Mayoral Committee for Agriculture and Environmental Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, thanked Rand Water and other stakeholders for their donation. He appealed to the community to protect and secure the infrastructure and requested that the water utility consider donating more boreholes.
