Towards inclusive transport: The responsiveness of intercity bus services to the needs of people with disabilities in Tamale, Ghana

People with disabilities (PWDs) have an equal right to independent mobility and dignified involvement in society, which is intrinsically related to their access to inclusive public transit systems. Yet, very often PWDs face injustices of unequal mobilities emanating from a combination of access barriers. Based on qualitative interviews and Focus Group Discussions with PWDs and station managers, this exploratory study assessed the responsiveness of public intercity bus services to the needs of PWDs with vision, hearing and walking/climbing difficulties. The findings show that, despite the Persons with Disabilities Act's passage in 2006, intercity public bus transportation services in Tamale, Ghana, do not meet the needs of PWDs. Intercity bus stations and vehicles are not disability-friendly, leading to people with disabilities facing severe discrimination and having a more difficult time using intercity bus services. This is due to a combination of environmental barriers, legislative/policy inadequacies, negative public attitudes and low compliance of transport operators to transport provisions in the Disability Act. PWDs express deep-seated feelings of marginalisation and resentment about the uneven access to transport services and the violation of their rights to autonomy in movement. It is concluded that the journey experiences of PWDs have a significant adverse influence on their travel decisions and full participation in society. Hence, suggestions for further research and policy recommendations to promote inclusive transport systems have been proffered. The article studied the responsiveness of intercity public bus transport services to the needs of disabled commuters in Tamale, Ghana from the perspectives of PWDs and transport operators. It revealed that PWDs face significant discrimination and violation of their rights to independent mobility despite various provisions made for them in the Ghana Disability Act. Bus stations are generally unfriendly and a combination of legal, political, policy and built environmental interventions are needed to ensure inclusive public transport services delivery in Ghana.image