Buses will have more wheelchair space

THE government yesterday agreed to satisfy the paraplegic association’s demand for two wheelchair spaces in public buses instead of one – the current configuration.

Following a meeting with Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis and the director of the transport department, the association said all buses ordered from now on would have space for two wheelchairs.

The new bus system, which includes an overhaul of the ageing fleets, was officially launched in early July as the government tries to increase public transport use from two per cent to ten per cent by 2019.

“If demand shows that the current new buses – those bought so far — need to have two spaces for wheelchairs then they will be modified,” the association said in a written statement

The association had complained that the new buses could not meet the demand of around 2,500 people who are permanent wheelchair users or have mobility problems or are wheelchair-bound because of temporary injuries.

The two sides also agreed to organise seminars to train drivers to properly serve passengers with disabilities.

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