Comment on the City’s draft Universal Access Policy for an Accessible Transport System

About the policy

Given the vital role of transport infrastructure and public transport facilities and services in providing people access to social and economic opportunities, it is important to address accessibility in the transport system.

What is universal access?

Universal access means designing a city that is easy for all citizens to use and move around in.

Our vision is to make universal access a feature of the transport system, which includes transport infrastructure and public transport facilities and services. We conduct inner-city road audits, in which we track all obstacles that could make moving around difficult for a person with a disability. These audits help us design a city and transport system that provides maximum access to all Capetonians.

Our MyCiti Bus service is recognised as a leading South African example in terms of provisions for universal access.

Some examples of the MyCiTi universal access measures include:

• city-wide braille touch-points;
• traffic lights with sound signals that help people with visual impairments cross the road safely;
• textured (‘tactile’) paving to help people with visual impairments find stations and platforms;
• glass and flap gates at stations to accommodate wheelchair users;
• audio induction loops at ticket kiosks for people with hearing impairments;
• security cameras monitored by a control centre, on buses and at stations;
• level boarding and boarding bridges on buses serving residential and central-city routes, which provide passengers with level access onto buses at bus stops; and
• dedicated bus stops to ensure that passengers can easily get on and off the bus.

This policy aims to address accessibility challenges faced by:

• persons with disabilities (the visually impaired, hearing impaired, people in wheelchairs, etc.)
• the elderly (seniors)
• minors (children)
• female passengers: safety and security is important for all passenger groups and genders, however, female passengers are particularly vulnerable to crime and abuse.
• pregnant women and those with prams
• passengers who rely on signage for information: people who cannot read or are unfamiliar with the language on the signage and cannot access enough information to use the transport system effectively.
• Load-carrying passengers: people carrying bags, luggage or goods.
• The City seeks to provide accessible transport that enables independent travel by UA passengers. This policy will be an important tool to improve accessibility across the travel chain, with a focus on improving our transport infrastructure and public transport facilities and enhancing the services that the City has direct control over, including:
• sidewalks and pedestrian crossings
• public transport facilities
• public transport interchanges,
• MyCiTi stops and stations
• the Dial-A-Ride service

Once approved by Council, this policy will replace the Universal Access Policy, 2014.

In terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, you can submit comments to the municipality in respect of the draft policy.

You can also access the information at:

• City libraries
• Subcouncil offices

In the document downloads section below

Contact us

For more information and general enquiries about the draft policy, email UrbanMobility.CT@capetown.gov.za.