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Special transport for persons with locomotor disability
Published on 04 February 2021
Romania
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About this good practice
In 2019, the Municipality of Timișoara together with the Local Transport Company (STPT) started a new transport service destined for persons with locomotor disability in order to facilitate their movement within the city. The service is free of charge and is available only to the persons with locomotor disability registered in the database transmitted by the Social Assistance Directorate of the municipality.
The persons who need the service can request it by a free of charge phone call to the STPT call centre or by an email for future planned departures, that will contain the name of the beneficiary, the departure/arrival address, the date and time of departure(s).
The transport service is available for persons with locomotor disability from Monday to Sunday between 8 am and 8 pm, and is made only within the urban area of the Municipality of Timișoara. For this service, the Local Transport Company deploys four Dacia Dokker vehicles adapted with ramps for wheelchair access. The drivers are in charge of the administrative tasks, they ensure the manipulation of the wheelchair ramp, assist with loading and unloading, ensure the connection of the wheelchair in the predefined position, check the closing and locking of the access doors. Persons with locomotor disability can be accompanied by only one other person.
The persons who need the service can request it by a free of charge phone call to the STPT call centre or by an email for future planned departures, that will contain the name of the beneficiary, the departure/arrival address, the date and time of departure(s).
The transport service is available for persons with locomotor disability from Monday to Sunday between 8 am and 8 pm, and is made only within the urban area of the Municipality of Timișoara. For this service, the Local Transport Company deploys four Dacia Dokker vehicles adapted with ramps for wheelchair access. The drivers are in charge of the administrative tasks, they ensure the manipulation of the wheelchair ramp, assist with loading and unloading, ensure the connection of the wheelchair in the predefined position, check the closing and locking of the access doors. Persons with locomotor disability can be accompanied by only one other person.
Expert opinion
People with reduced mobility face a number of challenges in using public transport, from making first and last mile connections to transport hubs, planning routes that are accessible, and boarding and disembarking from vehicles, especially fully independently. Whilst inclusivity is becoming increasingly prominent in urban planning, considering installation of ramps and elevators, and use of vehicles with boarding assistance and space for wheelchairs, significant further efforts are needed. Providing dedicated services such as on-demand transport, with accessible vehicles is a proven method for increasing opportunity for disabled citizens and this practice demonstrates a number of strong features, providing free, on-demand, door-to-door service through an easy booking service (call or email), using accessible vehicles, and ensuring that drivers are trained to assist with boarding and ensuring safety. The practice is highly transferable and many cities have demonstrated similar provision. It can be especially interesting for cities and regions where transport accessibility remains low, being cheaper and easier to implement than full network adaptation (though that should be the ultimate aim!). More detail on on-demand services can be found in the Policy Learning Platform Policy brief on the topic.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The Local Transport Company paid about 90.000 euros for 4 Dacia Dokker vehicles, while the service is financially supported by the Municipality.
Resources needed for the operation of the service:
• Human resources
• 4 Dacia Dokker vehicles adapted for persons with locomotor disability
Resources needed for the operation of the service:
• Human resources
• 4 Dacia Dokker vehicles adapted for persons with locomotor disability
Evidence of success
Main results:
• The service is used on a daily basis at maximum capacity
• As of 2019, a number of 3991 underage persons and 5816 adults benefitted from the service
• The service is used on a daily basis at maximum capacity
• As of 2019, a number of 3991 underage persons and 5816 adults benefitted from the service
Potential for learning or transfer
In Romania and in several other countries, persons with disabilities face limited access to the public transport system - means of transport and related technical and municipal infrastructure.
A transport service for people with disabilities such as the one operated by the Municipality and the Local Transport Company in Timișoara facilitates the mobility of these persons, thus eliminating obstacles in accessing all public services leading to stimulating an independent life and the participation in society and economy for people with disabilities.
This special transport service could be a good example for other cities and regions wishing to offer such a service.
A transport service for people with disabilities such as the one operated by the Municipality and the Local Transport Company in Timișoara facilitates the mobility of these persons, thus eliminating obstacles in accessing all public services leading to stimulating an independent life and the participation in society and economy for people with disabilities.
This special transport service could be a good example for other cities and regions wishing to offer such a service.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Societatea de Transport Public Timișoara
Romania
Vest
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