Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said all new public transport, infrastructure and facilities “are designed and built to ensure the mobility requirements of persons with special needs.”

“Being committed to its vision of providing ‘safe and smooth transport for all,’ the RTA works with the Dubai Government and associated bodies with the aim of adopting a universal accessibility set of standards,” Yousef Al Redha, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Support Services Sector, told Khaleej Times.

“These include the Dubai Metro, tram, the newly acquired fleet of public transport buses, including the air-conditioned bus stops, water transport vessels and terminals, specially-equipped taxis, special parking permits, among others,” he added.

Al Redha noted that “in comparison to many other cities around the world, the public transport services (in Dubai) are step-free with lifts, ramps and drop curbs.” The aim is to make the emirate fully accessible and inclusive by 2020.

At present, Al Redha enumerated some of RTA’s public transport facilities that are disabled friendly while others are in the pipeline like providing vehicles of persons with disabilities with free Salik tag and free parking, as well as fitting footbridges with lifts.

How RTA has made Dubai transport disabled friendly:

Metro:

– Tactile floor paths to guide visually-impaired persons at rail stations.

– Ticket booths designed to be accessible to wheelchair users.

– Special spaces on all rail facilities for wheelchair users.

– Audio-visual cautionary signs upon opening and closing of platform screen doors; CCTV for hearing-impaired persons; Audio notices for visually-impaired persons

– Lifts with ample space for wheelchairs and special handrails at a suitable height.

– Parking provision for persons with disabilities near the main station entrances. . Designated space for a wheel chair in each carriage, located in close proximity to the door.

– Toilets for people with disabilities.

Dubai Taxi

– Seven vehicles serving persons with disabilities needs have been designated for the service and fitted with special equipment to facilitate passenger mobility getting in and out the vehicle.

– Access platforms are electric wheel chair elevators that auto lift any person with mobility impairment for ease of access in and out of the larger vehicle.

Public buses

– Lower (bus) floor level

– Push-buttons within the reach of passengers to order a service.

– Air-conditioned shelters.

Marine transport

– Ample seating areas that can accommodate up to 3 wheelchairs.

– The crew assists persons with disabilities

On the roads

– Lowered pavements in junctions or cross points.

– Construction of crossing paths between the two ends of the road such that there will be no height difference.

– Fitting footbridges with lifts

– Auditing parking spaces for people with disability.

– Providing free parking for persons with disabilities .

Salik

– All vehicles of persons with disabilities to be issued with free Salik tag.

Pedestrian signals

– Take into consideration the movement and speed of persons with disabilities when fixing the timing of pedestrian light signal.

Licensing

– Issuance of special parking permits in Dubai

– Adapted vehicles are tested and officially endorsed by Vehicles Licensing Department.

Customer Service

– Providing seats for special needs at the main entrance of some Customer Service Centers (Umm Ramool, Deira Licensing, and Al Barsha).

– Provision of a dedicated counter for persons with disabilities .

– Providing special parking near the main gates.