Paratransit plan complete

Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport provided an update on the progress of their plan to improve paratransit in Bermuda.

At the time of the 2008 Throne Speech the Government recognized the gaps in the transport system for disabled persons. At that time the Government pledged to consult with stakeholders and to develop a paratransit strategy which when implemented will meet the needs of the physically challenged community. This initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation through the Department of Human Affairs in partnership with Age Concern.

A multi-stakeholder taskforce met over a three month period to produce a comprehensive strategy to provide transportation in Bermuda for people with mobility impairments. The strategy clearly establishes a proposed framework for the paratransit system that will be customized to suit the needs of Bermuda’s physically challenged. A draft business plan to implement the strategy is expected by month’s end.

Dr. Ewart Brown, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport said: ‘The Ministry of Tourism and Transport is the obvious entity to be charged with implementation of the paratransit system. A few weeks ago the Ministry received the recently completed strategic plan and I have urged the team to move swiftly towards its implementation. For anyone to imply that we have not heard the call for improved service for the physically challenged is most inaccurate and unkind.’

Meanwhile, the public will be aware that the most recently acquired buses now on Bermuda’s roads are equipped with a paratransit feature, although the feature exists many bus stops do not provide for its use, particularly those on the roadside where there is no curb and those where there is a curb but no wheelchair access; a study is currently underway to determine exactly which stops can be used for paratransit in the future.

Tags: Buses, Ewart Brown, Government, Ministry Of Tourism And Transport, Premier