Two Wheelchair seats not enough, senate seeks better bus access

A Senate committee has directed the Capital Development Authority to review and extend bus routes to help wheelchair users and women

Islamabad: A Senate committee has directed the Capital Development Authority to review and extend bus routes to help wheelchair users and women with disabilities reach their workplaces and other destinations, after a wheelchair user told the committee that the existing transport system does not meet their needs.

The issue was taken up by the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training during a discussion on transport facilities for persons with disabilities. A wheelchair user told the committee that she had been using a wheelchair for more than 20 years and that transport remained one of the biggest problems faced by women with disabilities.

She told the committee that the Green Bus was one of the few transport options where wheelchair users could travel with more independence and dignity. She also said around 20 to 25 women were connected with a centre in G 13 and needed better access to public transport.

The Special Education Ministry official told the committee that about 1,977 students were already receiving free transport and that the issue being raised appeared to concern working women rather than students under the Special Education system.

A CDA official told the committee that its buses currently have two designated seats for persons with disabilities along with ramps. The official said the CDA operates about 22 routes and that buses also serve educational institutions, hospitals and hostels.

The official said a full bus could not easily be dedicated only for wheelchair users because the existing public transport system is designed for wider use. However, he said changes could be considered if there was greater demand from persons with disabilities.

The wheelchair users asked the CDA to allow an existing Green Bus route to reach their area rather than create a completely separate service. The committee discussed extending routes near G 13 and Golra Sharif to make the service more useful for the women seeking transport.

A senator suggested that the CDA could also set specific travel times for the women so that transport could be arranged around their working hours. The CDA official said the existing service operates for 16 hours and that some accommodation could be considered, although the current bus design allows only limited wheelchair space.

The committee discussed a possible change to a route running from PIMS towards Golra Sharif and another route serving G 13 and Taxila. The proposal was to adjust the route through Golra Railway Station and G 13 so that wheelchair users could reach the service more easily. The CDA official said such a route change was possible but would require consideration of the extra distance because the buses are electric buses.

The chairperson directed CDA officials to work with the wheelchair users and prepare a practical route plan. She said a full bus might not be possible, but the existing routes could be improved to provide better access for persons with disabilities.

The committee later directed CDA to re examine the relevant routes and submit an update on the steps taken to improve transport access for wheelchair users and persons with disabilities.