*The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme.
Public transportation plays a vital role in the daily lives of millions of Egyptians. Its significance is not only derived from being a key cornerstone of the state&rsquo;s infrastructure, but also a principal socio-economic element of Egypt&rsquo;s pathway towards achieving the 2030 agenda. Accordingly, the Egyptian government has invested around EGP1 trillion toward its new urban development plans that aim to link various parts of Greater Cairo to enable easier commuting to the New Administrative Capital (Egypt Today, 2020). In this context, in order to guarantee a socially inclusive transportation network for all citizens, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), the accessibility of public transportation represents a significant challenge to the government as well as an economic necessity in light of the removal of fuel subsidies.&nbsp;
<h3>Conceptualizing accessibility</h3>
By accessibility we generally mean the degree of usability and availability of any service/utility for PWDs. With regard to transportation, accessibility may refer to assistive technology, inclusivity and social security as well as navigation and mobility. Accessibility in this context therefore denotes the capability of persons with disabilities to use vehicles, switch between modes of transportation and navigate smoothly from one point to another (Dalvi &amp; Martin, 1976; Geurs &amp; Van Wee, 2004; Litman, 2008).
To ensure accessibility of services for PWDs, the social model of disability should be adopted and empowered in Egyptian society. The social model refers to the way people perceive disability, adopting a model that contends a person becomes disabled when social/physical barriers hinder them from doing their daily activities. Thus, the problems that persons with disabilities face are the results of social oppression or exclusion rather than individual deficit (Oliver, 2004). This contrasts with the traditional model that looks at disability as a medical impairment, and hence, no action is possibly taken to mitigate its effect. Adopting the social model alters the perception of disability in Egyptian society and all sectors therein, including public transportation. This would encourage more inclusive policies and procedures, including the digitalization of transport, to help PWDs live independently.
Assistive technology should be utilized to support the digitalization of transportation services not only for the purpose of moving between modes of transportation, but also to increase the usability of vehicles and services. This includes use of auditory announcements for visually impaired users, providing visual aids and signs for persons with hearing impairment as well as ramps for wheelchair users. These aids follow the principle of universal design, whereby environments are designed to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors.
<h3>Recent developments</h3>
In recent years, the Egyptian government has turned its attention to supporting PWDs comprehensively, announcing 2018 as the year of persons with disabilities (Ahram, 2019). This coincided with launching Law No. 10/2018 for persons with disabilities, that represented guidelines for the government&rsquo;s subsequent efforts on the matter. This law is considered a big step towards adopting inclusive policies in all sectors. A significant component of the law is that it adopts the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Article 4. These principles include non-discrimination on the base of disability and gender to equality in all human rights and personal freedoms. Additionally, Article 28 of the law obliges the state to ensure the rights and needs of PWDs are upheld in programs and policies that combat poverty (State Information Service [SIS], 2018, 2019). In this regard, the Ministry of Social Solidarity has launched integrated smart cards to facilitate access to services that are intended for PWDs in Egypt in 2019. These cards can be utilized to implement electronic financial payments in various governmental transactions including transportation, and enable discounts thereon, as well as on certain customs exemptions for PWDs (Zayed, 2021). The first phase resulted in launching 850,000 cards, whereas the second phase was launched in July 2021 to support more PWDs(Daily News Egypt, 2019; EG24 News, 2021).
Furthermore, many policies have been proposed to include and support the accessibility of public transportation for PWDs. These policies can be divided into two categories: socio-economic policies and infrastructural development (i.e., technical) policies.
<h3>Socio-economic policies</h3>
The social and economic policies to support PWDs in the transportation sector are focused on providing subsidies to increase the affordability of public transportation for PWDs. For instance, Law 10/2018 stipulates that discounts should be provided for PWDs on transportation tickets as public transportation tickets would be 50% off for them and their companions (Abdel-Galil, 2019). In addition, private transportation such as Mwasalat Misr has offered a 100% discount on tickets for citizens with disabilities. Their buses feature the required assistive technologies including auditory signs, ramps and visual signs (Nassar, 2021). Furthermore, introducing integrated smart cards will contribute to helping PWDs, who are eligible for social security programs, to have access to such programs such as the Ministry of Social Solidarity&rsquo;s &ldquo;Takaful&rdquo; and &ldquo;Karama&rdquo; cash transfer program. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport has launched a unified smart card to facilitate payment of transportation tickets; as the ministry announced recently that there will be a unified smart card for commuters to use all modes of transportation including buses, underground metro, monorail and trains (Egypt Independent, 2021).
<h3>Infrastructural development policies</h3>
Policies related to infrastructural development, in this case, are concerned with assistive technology and usability of transportation systems. Implementing these policies should be concerned with supporting PWDs to overcome physical challenges while using public transport. The government is also working on some policies to address this sector. For instance, an accessibility code has been developed to enable PWDs to use transport vehicles and stations, including ramps and elevators for wheelchair users as well as visual and audible signs for persons with hearing and visual impairments (Saleh, 2017). This accessibility code (106) was signed in 2017 between the Ministry of Transport and the engineering syndicate (Saleh, 2017). Furthermore, in February 2022, a cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Social Solidarity was signed. This protocol aims to facilitate access to and use of public transportation for PWDs. This protocol ensures the accessible provision of public transportation services for PWDs in line with the accessibility code (106) (Ghandour, 2022).
As digitalization is another salient element in this context, private transportation such as Mwasalat Misr bus routes have been integrated into Google Maps to ease locating and accessing them by commuters through smartphones (Khairy, 2018). A recent joint company was established between Mwasalat Misr and Super Jet to operate and manage internal smart transportation in the New Administrative Capital. An investment of EGP200 million has been made in the new company that will manage the use of smart transportation systems in the New Administrative Capital (Egypt Today, 2021). These efforts should complement the expansion of new metro and bus lines in Greater Cairo.
<h3>Policy recommendations</h3>
Taking into consideration the policies proposed by the government to support PWDs, particularly in the sector of public transportation, many people are still deprived from decent access to public transportation. Addressing Cairo, as an example, there is still a lack of bus stops enhancement (e.g., accessible sidewalks and accessible metro stations) that should be developed to meet the needs of PWDs. Whereas the government has already planned to develop smart transport in the New Administrative Capital,, the main part of Greater Cairo still requires more attention, especially in geographical areas where many underprivileged citizens live.
Egypt, like many other developing countries, still needs more investment in the transportation sector to increase accessibility of all related services including bus stops, metro lines and sidewalks. South Africa, for instance, commenced to encourage accessibility of public transportation and enhance its related infrastructure after realizing that PWDs travel less frequently than their able-bodied counterparts. Studies show that PWDs&rsquo; trip rates are between 27% and 66% less than their able-bodied adult counterparts (Statistics South Africa, 2013). South Africa, like other developing countries, is working on developing a comprehensive database to ensure integration of all PWDs&rsquo; needs in its public transportation policies (Vanderschuren &amp; Nnene, 2021).
Accordingly, the following policies can be adopted to address the lack of accessibility of transportation in Egypt and complement existing efforts:
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A database of types and accurate census of PWDs should be regularly updated to conduct a clear needs assessment when planning the accessibility of public transportation. This would help offer services to their target audience and also propose an accurate census of the number of PWDs in line with the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics&rsquo; (CAPMAS) figures.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The concept of the social model of disability should be encouraged and reflected in all upcoming laws and legislations regarding disability accommodation to guarantee barrier-free services and avoid personal interpretations of disability that hinder the application and innovation of several supportive procedures to align with the government&rsquo;s recent efforts in this regard.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Universal design should be adopted and applied in all future urban designs including pavements and sidewalks as well as digital services related to the public transportation sector.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The national urban plan should include and guarantee the application of clear accessibility codes and procedures, including the accessibility code (106), to ensure the usability of transportation and other services for PWDs in all areas, as planned in the New Administrative Capital, in compliance with Law 10/2018 and Article 81 of the Egyptian constitutions that obliges the state to provide the necessary accommodations for PWDs.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Digital platforms such as government-sponsored mobile applications are required to integrate all modes of transportation.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Incentives should be provided by the concerned legislative and executive bodies to encourage investment in the fields of assistive technology and digital solutions that serve the individual and institutional accommodation of PWDs.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
References
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Abdel-Galil, H. (2019, October 24). 50% discount on all public transportation for people with disabilities.. Know the details. [50% Khasm &lsquo;ala jami&lsquo; wasa&rsquo;il al-naql al-&lsquo;ami li-dhawaa al-i&lsquo;aqati.. a&lsquo;rif al-tafasil]. Youm7. [In Arabic]. <a href="https://cutt.ly/lUrTEmL">https://cutt.ly/lUrTEmL</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Ahram. (2019, March 10). 'Unprecedented progress' made to empower persons with special needs, Egyptian delegation tells UNHRC. <a href="https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsPrint/327990.aspx">https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsPrint/327990.aspx</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Ahram. (2021, December 5). President Sisi orders establishment of 'differently-abled fund' for Egyptians with disabilities. <a href="https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/443825.aspx">https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/443825.aspx</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Daily News Egypt. (2019). Social solidarity ministry to launch integrated smart cards service programme covering Egypt's disabled community by end-2019. <a href="https://dailynewsegypt.com/2019/10/21/social-solidarity-ministry-to-launch-integrated-smart-cards-service-programme-covering-egypts-disabled-community-by-end-2019/">https://dailynewsegypt.com/2019/10/21/social-solidarity-ministry-to-launch-integrated-smart-cards-service-programme-covering-egypts-disabled-community-by-end-2019/</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Dalvi, M. Q., &amp; Martin, K. M. (1976). The measurement of accessibility: some preliminary results. Transportation, 5(1), 17-42.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">EG24 News. (2021). Integrated services card for people with disabilities 2021 (documents and application link)<a href="https://www.eg24.news/2021/06/integrated-services-card-for-people-with-disabilities-2021-documents-and-application-link.html">https://www.eg24.news/2021/06/integrated-services-card-for-people-with-disabilities-2021-documents-and-application-link.html</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Egypt Independent. (2021, November 8). Egypt issues 1st unified ticket for all transportation. <a href="https://cutt.ly/SUrYswk">https://cutt.ly/SUrYswk</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Egypt Today. (2020, August 16). Egypt&rsquo;s total investments in transport sector close to LE 1T: Prime Min. ​​<a href="https://cutt.ly/uUrYAdh">https://cutt.ly/uUrYAdh</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Egypt Today. (2021, November 11). Mwasalat Misr, Super Jet invests LE200M in establishing transportation company in Administrative Capital. <a href="https://cutt.ly/HUrYJ2e">https://cutt.ly/HUrYJ2e</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Geurs, K. T., &amp; Van Wee, B. (2004). Accessibility evaluation of land-use and transport strategies: review and research directions. Journal of Transport Geography, 12(2), 127-140.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Ghandour, M. (2022, February 2). Egypt to facilitate access to means of transport for people with disabilities. <a href="https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1235/459381/Egypt/Urban--Transport/Egypt-to-facilitate-access-to-means-of-transport-f.aspx">https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1235/459381/Egypt/Urban--Transport/Egypt-to-facilitate-access-to-means-of-transport-f.aspx</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Khairy, S. (2018, November 11). Your commutes around the capital are about to get easier thanks to Mwasalat Misr &amp; Google. Cairo360. <a href="https://cutt.ly/cUrRluB">https://cutt.ly/cUrRluB</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Litman, T. (2008). Evaluating accessibility for transportation planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Nassar, M. (2021, August 9). One condition.. Egypt&rsquo;s transportation exempts people with special needs from the fare, starting from today. [Shart wahid.. muasalat misr ta&lsquo;fi dhawi al-ihtiajat al-khasat min ujrat al-rukub bidayatan min al-yawm]. [In Arabic]. <a href="https://cutt.ly/gUrUOlQ">https://cutt.ly/gUrUOlQ</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Oliver, M. (2004). The social model in action: If I had a hammer? In C. Barnes &amp; G. Mercer (Eds.) Implementing the social model of disability: Theory and research (pp.18-31). The Disability Press.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Saleh, S. (2017, December 16). From the "disability card" to the "availability code"... the state's efforts to facilitate the movement of the disabled. [Min "kart al-i&lsquo;aqat&rdquo; ila "kud al-itahat".. juhud al-dawlat li-tas-hil harakat al-mu&lsquo;aqin]. El-Watan. [In Arabic]. <a href="https://cutt.ly/bUrY6MD">https://cutt.ly/bUrY6MD</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">State Information Service. (2018). The most important features of Law No. 10 of 2018 on the rights of persons with disabilities. <a href="https://cutt.ly/qUrIT86">https://cutt.ly/qUrIT86</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">State Information Service. (2019). Persons with disabilities law and its implementing regulations. <a href="https://cutt.ly/9UrISiF">https://cutt.ly/9UrISiF</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Statistics South Africa. (2013). National household travel survey (NHTS), 2013.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Vanderschuren, M. J., &amp; Nnene, O. A. (2021). Inclusive planning: African policy inventory and South African mobility case study on the exclusion of persons with disabilities. Health research policy and systems, 19(1), 1-12.</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Zayed, A. (2021, October 7). Q&amp;A: All you need to know about the integrated services card 2021. [&lt;&lt;S waj&gt;&gt; kula ma turid ma&lsquo;rifatah &lsquo;an bitaqat al-khadmat al-mutakamilat 2021]. Elwatan. [In Arabic]. <a href="https://www.elwatannews.com/news/details/5733145">https://www.elwatannews.com/news/details/5733145</a></li>
</ul>

آراء

Read Also