With significant Dial-a-Ride (DaR) service changes looming, disability organisations say the City is failing its most vulnerable residents by not offering inclusive transport solutions.
From Monday 8 September, access to Dial-a-Ride will be limited strictly to wheelchair users and those with serious mobility impairments, excluding many who previously relied on the service.
On Monday 25 August disability advocacy groups protested outside the Cape Town Civic Centre demanding that the city does more to ensure transport equity for all.
They also handed over a memorandum to Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility.
Budget constraints
According to the City these service cuts are due to budget constraints.
The City says the current average cost per trip is R737, with a cost recovery of only 3%. It said each user contributes around R22 per trip, while the City contributes approximately R515 and the Western Cape Government R200.
“To put this in perspective, transporting a single user who travels 21 days a month amounts to roughly R31 000 per month, or R371 000 per year,” read the statement.
Quintas met with leaders from organisations the following day (Tuesday).
When asked about the outcomes of the meeting, Michelle Botha, chair for Western Cape Network on Disability, told People’s Post that there is no clear “commitment to restoring” the service.
“We were very disappointed by the engagement that the lack of consultation was not acknowledged. That the long-standing inefficiencies of DaR were not clearly addressed.
“While Quintas stated that he was willing to partner with organisations to find solutions, this committment rang hollow in the circumstances.”
Botha said people with disabilities have long faced persistent barriers to accessible transport.
“We view these as a symptom of a larger problem related to the lack of prioritisation of people with disabilities within CoCT, which we have seen over many years of attempting to engage in good faith on issues of access.
“We are deeply concerned about the implications of the cuts for users. We are angered by the lack of consultation by CoCT about the cuts.”
Exploring legal routes
She said the meeting did not yield “a satisfactory outcome” and added that they are exploring options including “legal routes”.
“As far as CoCT is concerned, they are not willing to restore the service. They say that there is no possible way to do this without alternate funding external to CoCT.
Sergil January, awareness officer for Cape Town Society for the Blind, who also attended the meeting, said they are left with more questions than answers.
“Adding further frustration, Mr Quintas requested that organisations representing persons with disabilities approach employers to tap into CSI funding to support Dial-a-Ride.
“This shifts responsibility away from the City and onto the very people most affected by their decision.
Lifeline
January said DaR is a lifeline service to many.
“Dial-a-Ride is not a luxury, it is essential for attending clinic appointments, doctor visits, faith-based activities, and sport and recreational opportunities. The presentation reflected a lack of understanding of what this service truly means to disabled citizens.”
He said the service cuts “robs people of their independence”.
As the Cape Town Society for the Blind, we strongly believe that the City of Cape Town which claims that “This City Works for You” must find the funds to reinstate and sustain this vital service. They must find a way, even if it means reallocating budgets from elsewhere, because the dignity and independence of disabled people cannot be compromised.
January said this issue goes beyond transport; it’s about dignity, inclusion, and equal access.
“It is about whether disabled citizens are seen, heard, and valued as equal members of our city. We refuse to be made invisible.”
Quintas said the city is willing to partner with advocacy groups.
“To potentially lobby large corporates who many have some form of social responsibility funding as well as to continue our fight to petition the National Department of Social Development to meet so that the relevant department (who’s core mandate is persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons) would be able to provide us with the deficit we have.”
He said they are “more than happy” to resume the service to its current status if the funding is available.
