Cape Town's Dial-a-Ride cuts paused after urgent court action by disability network

The Western Cape Network on Disability has secured a temporary halt to planned cuts to the Dial-a-Ride transport service after filing an urgent court application.

The agreement follows growing concern over reduced trip availability, which has left many people with disabilities struggling to book rides.

Dial-a-Ride is a dedicated kerb-to-kerb service for people with disabilities who are unable to access other public transport.

In August, the municipality announced that the service would be limited to people using wheelchairs and those with severe walking impairments, leaving those with visual and cognitive impairments, as well as the elderly, without access.

The Western Cape Network on Disability filed an urgent application at the High Court for an interim interdict to halt the cuts or 60 days.

The City filed a notice of intention to oppose, but an agreement was reached to halt the service scale-back, and the Network on Disability has until 10 October to submit a court application to review the municipality’s decision.

Although the service is supposed to be operating normally, users have encountered difficulties when booking rides, says Western Cape Network on Disability acting treasurer, Anthony Ghillino.

“We hear that there has been a reduction in the number of trips available per day. It has gone from thirty ad hoc trips to fifteen. It’s a serious concern.”

He adds that it is important to have fully accessible public transport systems, as people living with disabilities often face disadvantages

“Dial-a-Ride is supposed to plug that gap while a permanent solution is found. We are hoping that this will be the start of the change that we need,” says Ghillino.

To listen to Anthony Ghillino, acting treasurer of Western Cape Network on Disability, in conversation with Cape Talk’s Lester Kiewit, click the audio below: