Antwerp ( Brussels Morning Newspaper) – People with disabilities struggle with Antwerp’s public transport. Buses lack accessibility, with no low-floor options or level stops. Peter De Ridder and Nicole Naerts urge improvements. The Diamant metro station’s elevators have been broken for 2 years.
People with disabilities in Antwerp are having trouble using public buses. Peter De Ridder, a trade unionist, says the buses are not accessible for people in wheelchairs, those with prams, and visually impaired people. Nicole Naerts, a wheelchair user, says she can’t get on or off the bus by herself. She also has trouble carrying her rollator because of her disability.
She mentioned that there are no low-floor buses or level boarding platforms, so people with mobility challenges need help to use the buses. This makes it difficult for them to get around the city. Many disabled people are frustrated and want the city to make the buses more accessible.
People with disabilities are isolated in many areas of our society. Inaccessible public transport only worsens that problem,
De Ridder complains.
How can Antwerp improve public transport for wheelchair users?
According to Nicola Nantes, France has a much better public transportation system for people with disabilities than Antwerp. She mentioned that all of the tram and bus stops in Nantes have raised platforms that are the same height as the buses. She says people don’t have to step up or down to get on the bus.
She mentioned that there are also special waiting areas with signs that tell the bus drivers when someone with a disability needs help. The drivers can then use automatic ramps to make it easier for people to get on and off the bus. People who are fighting for the rights of people with disabilities are asking for Antwerp to make their buses more accessible by raising the platforms and getting buses with automatic ramps.
There is also a sign on the platform where people with disabilities can stand, so the drivers are informed upon arrival. Then he or she can have an automatic platform slide out of the bus, so no one loses time,
Nicole Naerts says.
According to José van Santvoort, a wheelchair user, it’s hard to get on buses because they are too high. Even though some buses can lower themselves, the systems often don’t work. This makes it hard for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, parents with strollers, and people who are temporarily injured to get on the buses.
José also says that some bus stops are not designed well. She wants the city to fix the buses and make the bus stops level so that people with disabilities can use public transportation on their own.
For example, the elevators at the Diamant metro station have been broken for 2 years
Wheelchair user
According to wheelchair users, many stations don’t have working elevators. At Diamant station, the elevators have been broken for 2 years. People in wheelchairs can’t get to the platforms. At Groenplaats station, there are no elevators at all.
They mentioned that wheelchair users have to avoid stations without elevators. People are asking the city and De Lijn to fix the buses and the elevators. They want people with disabilities to be able to use public transportation on their own.
They should repair the buses and also tackle the stops because it’s a bit of a slant here,
José adds.
