Inclusive Transport Systems for People Living with Disabilities in South Africa

The chapter reviews the challenges faced by people living with disability (PWD) in South Africa in accessing transportation services, policy and regulatory frameworks and interventions to enable inclusive development. For centuries, perhaps up to the last decade of the twentieth century, the transport needs of people with disabilities were not considered as important. However, access to transport remains a challenge in developing countries, over 70% of PWD are in the low-income category and report major transportation problems. Frequently, people with disability are not consulted in planning and designing transport infrastructure and services, and implementing services that address their needs. The lack of access to affordable, appropriate, and reliable transport, access to resources, and services diminishes peoples’ capacity to develop. As a result, competences are low among PWDs and the unemployment rates and poverty levels are much higher. The United Nations (UN) theme “The Africa we want” is the guiding framework for countries, which enables the implementation of actions that will reduce limitations or remove barriers on access to transportation services and monitoring of progress. The provision of more effective mobility options for PWD requires the integration and alignment of interrelated global, continental, and national policy areas and service delivery models. South Africa has advanced in making provisions for PWDs, through interventions such as “Accessible Cities South Africa”. This has led to the development of integrated rapid transit programs and private, civic, and public sector partnerships that are enabling better access, especially in urban areas. This review will provide an insight into whether South Africa has adequately addressed the gap toward inclusive transportation services, and is on target with respect to achieving SDG 2030 goals in relation to access to appropriate transport services for people with any type of impairment and future interventions toward achieving AU 2063 goals for fair equitable societies.