Thua Thien Hue: Accessble bus shelter acceptance test for persons with disabilities

On September 07, 2022, the project “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities in Thua Thien Hue province in the period of 2021 - 2024” conđucted an acceptance test of several accessibility support items for persons with disabilities at bus shelters in Hue city. The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through ACDC.

The need for public transportation is growing every day, particularly for buses. To date, the Thua Thien Hue province's system of waiting areas and bus stops has taken into account the demands of persons with disabilities. However, the shelters do not have enough accessibility support items for persons with disabilities. Within the framework of the project "Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities in Thua Thien Hue province in the period 2021 - 2024", ACDC has coordinated with the Project Coordination Board, the Department of Transport, and the People's Committee of Hue city to install various support items for persons with disabilities in 02 bus shelters at gate no. 01 of Hue Central Hospital on Le Loi street, Hue city.

The items designed and installed include handrails next to waiting seats, logos designating priority positions for persons with disabilities, and logos to identify priority positions for persons with disabilities using wheelchairs. When there are accessibility features, persons with disabilities using wheelchairs have a priority seating position and persons with mobility disabilities can use the support armrests at the waiting seats. Especially, the waiting house location is installed in the central area near the hospital, where there are frequent passengers with disabilities or patients who have trouble getting about. The installed items have made it easier for persons with disabilities to access public transport.

Along with the installation of features to assist persons with disabilities in accessing and using bus shelters, the project also incorporates further activities such as increasing accessibility on buses, raising awareness for drivers and flight attendants on the issue of supporting persons with disabilities in traffic to provide the broadest possible access to public transportation. In addition to making public passenger transportation facilities in the province accessible to people with disabilities, the project is anticipated to also affect other forms of passenger transportation, assisting those with disabilities in better accessing and utilising services, and promoting integration and equality in the community.