MyCiTi offers access for all

Members of the Helen Keller Low Vision Support Group recently used MyCiTi on a trip to the V&A Waterfront. They came to appreciate just why MyCiTi’s universal access policy was named one of the most innovative in the world for special needs commuters in 2014.

The Helen Keller Low Vision Support Group from Durbanville travelled from Table View to the V&A Waterfront via Civic Centre station.

‘We had a great trip to the Waterfront,’ says Jennifer Webster, who helped organise the trip. ‘We stopped off at the Civic Centre station so I could show the members the layout. Everyone was so helpful, showing each person how to swipe their cards. Thumbs up to the staff!’

Universal access is a major part of MyCiTi’s offering to passengers. This includes tactile paving for the blind and partially sighted, boarding bridges to ensure level boarding at stops and stations, audible pedestrian crossings, and safety features.

Webster said that the group found the tactile paving to be particularly helpful, especially the corrugated ones, as they only needed to put their white canes into the ‘groove and walk straight’.

MyCiTi’s universal access features mean easier and safer ways to get around for all special needs passengers, including people in wheelchairs, those with hearing or visual impairments, the elderly, parents or caregivers with prams, young children, people with baggage, and women travelling alone at night.

‘You would not believe how excited they were that they could get around independently – and even get to the Artscape Theatre for a show. A real eye-opener. Well done MyCiTi and thank you.’