Complicated procedures, difficult topographical conditions: full accessibility in public transport is still a long way off

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By the end of 2023, only 60 percent of train stations in Switzerland will be usable by people with disabilities. By the end of 2023, approximately one third of the 23,000 bus and tram stops in public road transport (ÖV) will meet the requirements of the Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act. The Association for Public Transport (VöV), the Swiss Association of Cities, the Swiss Association of Municipalities and others announced this on Friday.

They say much has been achieved in the fight for accessibility. For example, the railway companies gave priority to expanding busy stations, so that 80 percent of travelers benefited from the renovations. However, further improvements are needed.

Staff assistance and shuttle services

Public transport companies, cantons, cities and municipalities promise that people with disabilities will find alternative solutions at all train stations and stops that have not yet been converted by 2024, for example through staff assistance or shuttle services. The costs for the latter are borne by the owners of the stops.

From 2024, people with reduced mobility can obtain more detailed information about the accessibility of stops and the alternative or bridging solutions offered via online timetables. In addition, the SBB’s existing contact center handicap will be ‘specifically expanded’, say the public transport companies, cantons and municipalities.

This contact center is made available as a point of contact to customers of all transport companies. From 2024, all travelers must be able to use public transport without discrimination.

There are many hurdles in implementing the law

On January 1, 2004, the Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BehiG) came into effect. Owners of vehicles and public transport stops had twenty years to implement it. VöV and the public sector attribute the fact that this was not entirely successful to the high costs of structural adjustments.

The procedures are also often complicated, for example when a referendum is required for loans. And in some places the topographical conditions are difficult. The railways would also have had to convert more stations than originally planned.

Bridging measures are better than nothing. However, they are inferior, extend and complicate the journey and are not a substitute for BehiG-compliant adjustments. Inclusion Handicap therefore demands that these measures are only used to a limited extent and that public transport becomes barrier-free by 2030 at the latest.

Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible

The railway infrastructure managers are responsible for the implementation of the BehiG in public transport for accesses and platform systems in the stations. For vehicles and customer information these are the transport companies.

The landowners are responsible for adapting bus and tram stops. According to the statement, most vehicles used in public transport are now designed to be accessible to the disabled. (SDA)

Source:Blick