PTSC buses to cater for disabled

WHEELCHAIR users can rejoice in the fact that in the coming fiscal year, the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) will be purchasing three new purpose-built buses catering for the differently-abled. The buses will be used along the East-West corridor, inclusive of the Northwestern peninsula, and the North-South route. In addition, one of the buses will be used to transport differently-abled children, as requested by Ministry of Education. This was announced yesterday by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Social Services Delivery, Christine Kangaloo, as she addressed persons at the launch of the Bus Service for Persons With Disabilities, at the Princess Elizabeth Centre, Woodbrook. In seeking to assure differently-abled persons that they had not been forgotten by the Government, Kangaloo said another initiative of the PTSC will be “Dial-A-Ride.”

This measure will allow differently-abled citizens who are unable to leave their homes to telephone PTSC, who will send transport to pick up these individuals at their homes. Seats are now being reserved for the disabled in all PTSC buses, claimed Kangaloo, while all roadworks being carried out by the Ministry of Works in fiscal year 2004 will be “disabled user friendly.” This will include sidewalks and walkovers being re-designed to accommodate persons with wheelchairs; the placing of zebra-crossings and relevant signage at institutions specifically associated with the disabled; and the placing of audible devices at traffic lights at major intersections. “When all of these initiatives are taken together, what emerges is the clear picture of a concerted and concentrated effort by Government to move swiftly and appropriately in response to the various factors that impel the opening up of access to transport to the differently abled,” stated Kangaloo.

Chairman of the International Institute for Health Care and Human Development (IIHHD), Bill Bronte, said disabled persons are willing and able to take their place in society, but are unable to do so because of financial constraints. The bus for wheelchair users was estimated to cost approximately $500,000, and included the waiving of importation duties and taxes by Government; a contribution from the Community Development Fund of $150,000; and kind corporate sponsorship of the ANSA McAL group of companies and the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain. The bus, which can accommodate seven persons at one time, contains an automated lift and ramp, and the National Petroleum Company has agreed to sponsor $500 worth of diesel every month for the bus, while Algico has offered full comprehensive insurance for the vehicle. Adding that the disabled “have been crying out all along” for assistance, Bronte appealed to other road users to exercise a little extra caution when they see the bus. He explained that a distance of approximately 30 feet from the back of the bus was needed to effectively and efficiently offload passengers.