Towards inclusive transport: The responsiveness of intercity bus services to the needs of people with disabilities in Tamale, Ghana

Abstract

People with disabilities (PWDs) have an equal right to independent mobility and dignified involvement in society, which is intrinsically related to their access to inclusive public transit systems. Yet, very often PWDs face injustices of unequal mobilities emanating from a combination of access barriers. Based on qualitative interviews and Focus Group Discussions with PWDs and station managers, this exploratory study assessed the responsiveness of public intercity bus services to the needs of PWDs with vision, hearing and walking/climbing difficulties. The findings show that, despite the Persons with Disabilities Act's passage in 2006, intercity public bus transportation services in Tamale, Ghana, do not meet the needs of PWDs. Intercity bus stations and vehicles are not disability‐friendly, leading to people with disabilities facing severe discrimination and having a more difficult time using intercity bus services. This is due to a combination of environmental barriers, legislative/policy inadequacies, negative public attitudes and low compliance of transport operators to transport provisions in the Disability Act. PWDs express deep‐seated feelings of marginalisation and resentment about the uneven access to transport services and the violation of their rights to autonomy in movement. It is concluded that the journey experiences of PWDs have a significant adverse influence on their travel decisions and full participation in society. Hence, suggestions for further research and policy recommendations to promote inclusive transport systems have been proffered.

Geography and environment: New conversations, new communities

“…Published articles have focused on important environmental topics from around the world. Geo authors (Akaateba et al, 2023;Odame et al, 2023) have, for instance, led recent discussions around disability, exclusion and public transport provision in Ghana. Both Odame et al and Akaateba et al address questions of marginalisation and the social and material structures that create barriers to public transport use, and raise practical implications for policy actors in the region.…”