Oct 11 - Government To Improve Bus Access For Passengers With Disabilities
The Gibraltar Bus Company has embarked on a project to improve user friendliness for wheelchair users boarding its vehicles. The Government plans to construct ramps at those bus stops throughout the Rock, which currently pose difficulties for persons with a physical disability.
The measures will be implemented by the Ministry for Public Transport in several phases and works have already been finalised at Market Place, where, in addition to the construction of the ramps, street lamps and litter bins at the bus terminal have been relocated to remove obstructions to wheelchair users.
The plan was embraced after representations were received from the local Disability Society which expressed concern after the bus stop at Eastern Beach had to be relocated fifty meters south as a result of the commencement of works to the new Government housing scheme in the area of the old Aerial Farm. The Minister for Public Transport, Neil Costa, said the Gibraltar Government was sensitive to the problems faced by wheelchair users in urban environments and that it was their intention to do everything possible to make life easier for them. Mr Costa explained that, as a result of this scheme, the whole situation of bus stops in Gibraltar in respect of persons with disability was reviewed and it was decided to provide accessibility improvements wherever necessary.
Minister Sacramento also commented: “Once again the Government is placing the needs of those with physical disabilities at the forefront of its actions. I am delighted that Minister Costa and I have been able to greatly improve accessibility at the bus stops”
Minister Costa said: “This is a top priority for us. We have started at Market Place but the phased project will see these improvements extended across the whole of Gibraltar. We want to continue to provide facilities to enable the inclusion of people with disabilities in our community, as we did at Gibraltar’s beaches this summer. I once again wish to publicly express my personal thanks to the professionalism and excellent work of the Technical Services Department.”
