Train station made accessible to disabled

By Celeste Ganga
17 October 2007

The Department of Transport and Public Works invested more than R8 million to make Mandalay train station accessible to people with disabilities.

“Lifts were installed at the station that would pick up people on wheelchairs from the bottom to the ticket sellers at the top deck of the station and then down to the platform to board the train, but these lifts have never been operational,” says spokesperson for the minister, Eric Ntabazalila.

Ntabazalila adds that security personnel at the Mandalay train station informed department officials that they are presently assisting people on wheel chairs, but this is sometimes frustrating as some commuters turn back as they don’t have someone to assist them to board the train.

Lentegeur train station is also being renovated so that it too can be accessible to people with disabilities.

“Minister Fransman, Stephen Ngobeni (Regional head of Metrorail), Chairperson of Disabled People of South Africa and a senior departmental official responsible for Public Transport will visit Mandalay and Lentegeur Stations on Wednesday to look at corrective measures for Mandalay Train Station and ensure that Metrorail abide by its obligations,” says Ntabazalila.

He goes on to say that the delegation will also visit Lentegeur train station to look at progress made, and what are likely to be future challenges.

“Minister Fransman is frustrated by the present status and the R8 million investment that is not making any impact (on) the lives of the disabled,” says Ntabazalila.