SAHRC to investigate decision to downscale CoCT’s Dial-a-Ride service
Earlier in August, the City of Cape Town announced changes to the transport service for people with disabilities.
A City of Cape Town Dial-a-Ride bus. Picture: City of Cape Town/YouTube
CAPE TOWN - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed it will be investigating the decision to downscale the Dial-a-Ride service in the City of Cape Town.
It said it has received a few complaints from users who will be impacted.
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Earlier in August, the City of Cape Town announced changes to the transport service for people with disabilities.
From 8 September, only wheelchair-bound individuals and those with severe walking impairments will be eligible for the service.
The City of Cape Town said the decision to reduce the Dial-a-Ride service was due to budget constraints.
It said it had sent letters to the national Department of Social Development five months ago, requesting more financial support.
But it said that to date, it had not received a response.
This is little consolation for a parent whose son needs the service to get to and from campus.
Saadiqah Daniels said her 20-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, would be stranded.
"There’s no way that I have any transport to transport him to university. How do I get my child to UWC? I mean, he goes to class every day and we need it."
She said her son hds been using the service since he was in primary school.
Some 2,000 ad hoc users will no longer be eligible to use the service.
Chair of the SAHRC, Chris Nissen has, meanwhile, emphasised that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, the visually impaired, the physical impaired, and the hearing impaired, should be treated with equal respect.