87% disabled satisfied with RTA services

Majority of specially-abled people using the Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) facilities are fully satisfied with their services, according to a senior official from RTA.

Over 87 per cent of people with disabilities using RTA facilities are completely satisfied with their services, a Dr Sara Ishaq A. Mohammad, Manager Transport Integration, RTA, during the three-day AccessAbilities Expo 2016.

Dr Sara said the Authority has taken all efforts to ensure that people with disabilities have a smooth ride. “We have made special parking arrangements for people with disabilities. In fact, we are the first railway in the Middle East that is accessible for those with visual disability,” said Sara.

The Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram offer services and facilities for people with different types of disabilities, stations and metro carriages have audio and visual announcements for guidance, notifications and display of information for people with hearing and visual impairment,  floor signs that facilitate the movement of people with visual disabilities where it keeps track of movements that guide them to the gates or to their designated locations in the carriages, also providing elevators and escalators with audio and light-customised systems for people with visual impairment and hearing disabilities.

Buses have been provided with shaded, air-conditioned shelters. “People with disabilities can request for special taxis, which are operated by specially trained staff,” said Dr. Sara.

Even Dubai Ferry, Water Taxi and the Water Bus services are accessible.

In public buses, the bus’s hydraulic system enables the driver to tilt the bus so it reduces the altitude/rise with the pavement in order to enable the elderly, sick, or passenger with disability to board the bus easily. The middle door of the bus is provided with a crossing ramp which serves as a bridge between the sidewalk and the floor of the bus to enable easy wheelchair access without lifting it.

“Moreover, we have also made free ride arrangements for passengers with disabilities in all our public transport system,” she added.

Talking about employment, she said: “The RTA has appointed 13 employees with disabilities in five different sectors in our organisation and 92 per cent of them are totally satisfied with their job in RTA,” Sara said.

AccessAbilities Expo 2016 is held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

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