Reliable, safe, accessible transport is crucial to ensuring people with disabilities can fully participate in society
October is recognised as Transport Month in South Africa. It’s a crucial reminder that accessible transport is not a luxury; it’s a necessity and a human right. Without it, participation in society becomes a daily struggle. That is the stark reality.
Accessible transport enables access to healthcare, education, skills development, places of worship, entertainment venues and sporting facilities. Most importantly, it allows us to get to work and back.
It also empowers our freedom to visit family and friends, explore the country and enjoy rich tourism offerings in South Africa. Without it, people with mobility impairments are left dependent on others just to move around.
When we talk about accessible transport, we’re not just referring to metro buses. It includes minibus taxis, metered taxis, Uber, Metrorail and long-distance trains, long-haul buses, maritime transport (both large ships and small craft) and air travel. Each of these modes must be accessible if we are to build an inclusive society.
There is also a significant urban–rural divide. In rural areas, transport options are even more limited, and there’s a clear lack of planning for fully accessible, corner-to- corner transport services.
Even for those fortunate enough to own private vehicles equipped with assistive driving devices, inequality persists. Accessible (wheelchair) parking bays are frequently abused by the general public and delivery services. This underscores the urgent need to finalise and implement a national parking disc policy – a process currently being championed by the South African Disability Alliance (SADA).
When transport is not inclusive, mobility- impaired individuals are unable to fully participate in or benefit from the economy. This exclusion only deepens poverty and inequality, which remains a persistent challenges in our country. So, what tools do we have to demand change?
Our Constitution and laws like the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA) protect the rights of persons with disabilities. South Africa is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which mandates accessible transport as a human right. Further support is found in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls for these principles to be integrated into national legislation.
Accessible transport is more than a convenience. It is a fundamental enabler of human rights. It allows people with mobility impairments to live independently, contribute to society and uphold their dignity. Without it, inequality widens and the vision of a just, inclusive South Africa slips further from reach.
We must stand united, boldly and consistently, to accelerate the integration of accessible transport into every aspect of our built environment. As we know all too well, it is not the wheelchair that disables us. We are mobile with the right mobility aids. Rather, it is the inaccessible environment, especially the transport environment, that renders us immobile.
