Universal access and the public transport system
We are proud of the fact that Cape Town is the most universally accessible city in South Africa. There are a number of reasons for this – from the way we design our inner-city walkways to how we have built our public transport system.
Our universal access
Our
Universal Access Policy and framework describe our overall approach to universal access. You can view these documents here or download these documents in the document download section at the bottom of the page.
The
MyCiTi bus service is currently the only universally accessible form of public transport in the city – we are especially proud of it.
Did you know?
An inclusive city: Our plan is to make universal access a feature of all our public transport systems. We have recently completed an inner-city road audit, in which we tracked all obstacles that could make moving around difficult for a person with a disability. More than 11 000 barriers on one 100 kilometres of pavement were recorded. This audit, and future ones, will help us design a city and transport system that provides maximum access to all Capetonians.
MyCiTi bus
MyCiTi buses are designed so that all special-needs passengers can use the service. The system caters for everyone, including:
- visually impaired passengers;
- people in wheelchairs;
- seniors;
- young children;
- pregnant women and those with prams;
- passengers travelling alone at night;
- passengers with luggage; and
- passengers carrying heavy objects such as surfboards and bicycles.
MyCiTi’s universal access facilities include:
- 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;
- 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.
Fast fact
An audio induction loop sends an electromagnetic signal of the ticket officer’s voice straight to the hearing aid or implant of a person with a hearing impairment. It cuts out any other noise so that the person can hear the conversation clearly.
Many more MyCiTi routes are being planned. Over time, we aim to have a public transport stop within 500 metres of every home.
Visit MyCiTi for more information on the service.
Transport operator compliance
Transport, our transport authority, will ensure that transport operators provide universal access. This will be included in the list of requirements for operators applying for licences from the City of Cape Town. Transport will also introduce a strong policy on universal access, which will help regulate operators’ compliance with the City of Cape Town’s vision.
For more details, please visit the
Transport website.
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