New red bus not disabled-friendly: TARATDAC

The buses have special components including breakable emergency door, public announcement system, stick holding ring for disabled with mic, pneumatic doors and individual seats for passengers. Unlike the old buses, the new ones have more standing space.  

“The new bus looks vibrant on our city roads. So far, there have been no complaints. We are apprehensive about the maintenance part,” said S Kavitha, a regular commuter from Old Mahabalipuram Road.

However, the differently-abled passengers are unhappy with the available features of the new vehicles. The State General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC), S Namburajan, said, “The new buses have no hydraulic lift inside the bus for an easy entry and exit. There is no special provision for the persons on wheel chair to board the buses. Also, a display board announcing the next stop is missing to the dismay of visually-challenged persons. The Corporation has operated 100 per cent differently-abled buses earlier. We are expecting the transport utility to use technology to make the vehicles more differently-abled friendly.”