Wheelchair users meet progress, barriers in transport

Wheelchair users are reporting that transport has improved with the introduction of accessible buses, but they say high taxi costs, inadequate infrastructure and limitations of public transport continue to affect their independence and ability to travel.

Their experiences were shared on Monday during the official handover of a newly acquired school bus to the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) at Harambee House, Garrison. The bus is expected to provide transport for children with disabilities, while those interviewed reflected on the wider state of accessible public transport across the island.

President of the Rehabilitating Enabling Society for Amputees (RESA) Patrick Forde recalled that getting around before the accessible buses were introduced was “very difficult” for wheelchair users.

“It was not easy and you have to depend on your family or somebody, a friend or relative to take you places,” he said. “They have their own business also to deal with, their family issues and life and stuff, so it was very hard as a wheelchair user to get around.”

He maintained that accessible buses have transformed daily life for many people with disabilities.

“If it wasn’t for the prime minister bringing in those electric buses to have access to get around, I would not have been able to be here this morning without family or a taxi, and using a taxi is very costly,” he remarked, describing the buses as “a reliable source” of transport.

But, Forde said: “What I would like to see happening mostly… is for our bus terminals to be more accessible for our wheelchair users because it’s not easy. When we go to the bus stand to get into the bus, it’s not easy, so we have to do some adjustments.”

RESA public relations officer Tonia Holder-Springer also pointed to shortcomings in the public transport system, explaining that her own experience on an accessible bus discouraged her from using it again.

“The seatbelt in the bus wasn’t good for somebody in a wheelchair. It don’t be tight and you would still be moving about in the bus, so that wasn’t a good experience for me, so I never catch it again,” she said.

Despite that experience, she welcomed the BCD’s new bus, saying transport costs remain one of the biggest challenges facing people with disabilities.

She said: “I live in St Lucy and a taxi from St Lucy to the hospital is $100 or sometimes $120, $130 depending, and that’s only to get there. So that’s like $260 and all to get there and get back home. 

“The bus now, that is a major cut down because it’s way less than that and it’s accessible… so it’s a great access to us.”

Holder-Springer added that the vehicle would also ease the burden on parents of children with disabilities.

“This bus can only hold a certain amount of people, which will give them enough space and room to just feel comfortable. So it’s a great thing for the kids and also great for persons with disabilities. We are very grateful for this bus.”

BCD director Sean Cooke also welcomed the progress made but argued that accessibility extends beyond buses.

“It has been difficult for years,” he disclosed. “Some issues that we have is that the bus stops and sidewalks are not really suitable for persons with disabilities at this time.”

While commending the government for introducing wheelchair-accessible buses, he noted that each bus accommodates only one wheelchair user.

“If you have two persons in a wheelchair that want to go to a particular location, then it will be difficult to really get more than one person on the bus.”

Cooke further argued that transport costs continue to place an additional burden on people with disabilities.

“When it comes to taxis, it’s very expensive, especially when you have to take a wheelchair. The price is much higher,” he said.

Calling for further investment, he contended that Barbados must improve both transport and infrastructure.

“We need a lot more investment not only in the vehicles, but the infrastructure, the sidewalks, the areas in which persons with disabilities can actually get public and private transportation.”

He added: “The lack of proper transportation at this point does impact the ability to go anywhere you want to go, whether that’s work, whether that’s a hospital visit, even an event.”

(LE)