Budget Vote on Transport By Independent Democrats MP, Vincent Gore
2004-06-22. On behalf of the Independent Democrats I would like to congratulate the new Minster in his appointment to this critical ministry. The ID acknowledges that the new Minister has vast shoes to fill of a father of this nation, the late Min. Omar. We wish you all the best in your formidable task.
The Independent Democrats is fully
aware of the great strides this ministry has made in delivering
affordable and quality transportation to all South Africans; and for
this we congratulate you.
We are also a party that believes in being an engaging opposition party that determined in improving the lives of all our citizens. We are proudly South African and are passionate about the opportunities that now exist in this country.
It is with this mind that I would like to turn my attention to a significant sector of transport users the disabled commuters. The ID is fully aware of the progress made in the integration of the disabled person into transport systems. However, we are of the view that progress has been too slow and needs to be accelerated substantially.
We believe that if 20% of a fleet of taxis or busses are accessible the entire fleet is simply not accessible. It needs to be 100% disabled accessible. The disabled person does not expect special treatment, we demand equal treatment. We insist that we are given the same opportunities as all other commuters; we require that we are given equal access to all our busses, taxis and trains.
Hon. Minister if this country fails to provide equal and accessible transport to disabled people, this country faces the real and immediate risk of sentencing over 8 million disabled South Africans and their families to a life with many similarities to those victims of apartheid's Group Areas Act; a virtual imprisonment in your own home unable to travel to work or places of pleasure.
I thank you
We are also a party that believes in being an engaging opposition party that determined in improving the lives of all our citizens. We are proudly South African and are passionate about the opportunities that now exist in this country.
It is with this mind that I would like to turn my attention to a significant sector of transport users the disabled commuters. The ID is fully aware of the progress made in the integration of the disabled person into transport systems. However, we are of the view that progress has been too slow and needs to be accelerated substantially.
We believe that if 20% of a fleet of taxis or busses are accessible the entire fleet is simply not accessible. It needs to be 100% disabled accessible. The disabled person does not expect special treatment, we demand equal treatment. We insist that we are given the same opportunities as all other commuters; we require that we are given equal access to all our busses, taxis and trains.
Hon. Minister if this country fails to provide equal and accessible transport to disabled people, this country faces the real and immediate risk of sentencing over 8 million disabled South Africans and their families to a life with many similarities to those victims of apartheid's Group Areas Act; a virtual imprisonment in your own home unable to travel to work or places of pleasure.
I thank you
