The inauguration of the long-awaited metro rail system in December this year promises to bring about significant benefits for people with disabilities as it includes various facilities to ensure that it is accessible for all.
Many developed countries around the world, such as Australia and Japan, have public transport systems that are specifically designed with accessibility in mind for senior citizens, pregnant women, children and persons with disabilities. The metro rail will be the first public transport system in Bangladesh with similar, in-built accessibility features.
According to the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the implementing agency of the metro rail, there are around 17 million persons with disabilities in the country. The metro rail’s stations, coaches, entry gates, washrooms, and elevators have all been designed considering wheelchair users, as well as speech-, hearing-, and visually- impaired individuals.
The authorities will also appoint personnel to ensure the safety of people with disabilities, health conditions, or the elderly.
MAN Siddique, managing director of DMTCL, said: “The metro rail includes dedicated space for wheelchair users at both ends of the metro train, a wheelchair-friendly elevator with lower control panels, a lower height ticketing booth, a spacious auto fare collection gate, accessible washrooms, a ramp to get on and off stations, consistent height and minimum gap between the platforms and coaches, and trained support staff.”
He said the metro rail will also include multi-coloured sidewalks with tactile tiles, braille buttons, and audio information systems inside station elevators and trains.
“Hearing-impaired individuals will also enjoy numerous features, including automatic video displays of train arrival times at stations, and visual displays and navigation systems,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Jahangir Alam, general secretary of Bangladesh Visually Impaired People’s Society, told Dhaka Tribune: “Installing voice instructions at the metro rail and its platforms on the movement of the train, and saying when the door is open or the door is closed, or announcements of the next station will help us most.”
He requested incorporating a braille system on the buttons of lifts.
According to a study by the Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Department of Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (Buet), 45% of persons with disabilities use rickshaws, while 22% use CNG auto-rickshaws and private cars. Meanwhile, 11% use buses or walk, despite the bus being cheaper.
Buet URP Prof Md Musleh Uddin Hasan said: “It is appreciated that the metro rail authority is giving priority to persons with disabilities. It may help them. Gradually, the government should give priority to making the entire transport system comfortable for persons with disabilities.”