Cairo: Jasour – News Desk
The Ministry of Transport has announced its efforts to support special needs individuals in utilizing various transportation means, including rail (metro – railways) and land transport. This initiative follows the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who emphasizes monitoring the implementation of measures aimed at empowering and integrating special needs individuals into society. This is part of the state’s priorities to enhance the quality of life for all citizens, particularly those with differing abilities.
The Ministry of Transport highlighted the implementation of Accessibility Code No. 601 across different transport means, including rail (metro – railways) and land transport, to facilitate the mobility of special needs individuals. This code has also been integrated into new projects such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), new metro lines (3rd, 4th, and 6th lines), the Nile East and West monorail lines, the BRT bus rapid transit route on the ring road, and the fast electric train network within the trains and stations.
Since signing a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Social Solidarity on 1/2/2022 to apply Accessibility Code No. 601 and its requirements in accordance with regulations and laws, efforts have been continuous in existing rail transport (metro – railways). This includes work on 15 railway stations (Ramses, Giza, Sidi Gaber, Misr in Alexandria, Mansoura, Aswan, Qena, Luxor, Minya, Assiut, Banha, Tanta, Sohag, Port Said, Damanhour) and the first and second metro lines to facilitate transportation for special needs individuals. The implementation is planned over three years, with remaining stations being updated in successive stages, prioritizing locations based on the needs of special needs individuals in various governorates.
The statement noted that in the first metro line, accessibility improvements have been introduced at certain stations, such as Saray El-Qobba and Heliopolis, through the installation of tactile paving for visually impaired individuals, creation of accessible restrooms, and dedicated ticket windows and seating for special needs individuals.
On the third metro line, pathways have been prepared for special needs individuals from entrances to exits, as well as within stations, including restrooms and elevators. Dedicated areas for special needs individuals have also been established within the light rail electric trains and inside the stations.
In the railway sector, special pathways for special needs individuals, golf carts, and wheelchairs for transporting elderly and special needs individuals have been provided free of charge at stations (Ramses, Upper Egypt Train Station / Giza). Additionally, electronic gates for elderly and special needs individuals, ramps for boarding and alighting from trains, and accessible restrooms in Talgo trains have been implemented. Accessibility Code has been applied at stations (Upper Egypt Train Station – Adly Mansour – Badr), with some provisions implemented at stations under the “Decent Life” initiative.
The statement also mentioned several discounts provided by the Ministry of Transport on tickets across various transport means. Reservations on railway lines can be made using the integrated services card issued by the Ministry of Social Solidarity or its affiliated offices. Metro subscriptions are available for special needs individuals based on zones (one, two, three or four zones, five or six zones), and metro tickets are issued with specific discounts for special needs individuals.
Rail tickets with discounts are also provided for sleeping, air-conditioned, dynamic ventilation, and “Tahya Misr” trains. Subscriptions with the same discount rates can be issued, and four seats are reserved for special needs individuals on all trains. In land transport, special areas and ramps are designated for special needs individuals in buses operated by the Ministry’s affiliated ACTA Company, serving the new administrative capital.”
