RESIDENTS living in old age homes and buildings in Prince Street, Durban, have praised the municipality for responding to their pleas to move a bus stop to a more accessible position in the road.
According to resident Farieda Daniels, many elderly residents from Tafta buildings in the area and disabled residents from Saint Giles were unable to get onto the People Mover buses at the designated bus top because the space was taken up by taxis and other vehicles, forcing the buses to stop in the middle of the road. Daniels said she had approached the community policing forum in the area as well as Councillor Nicole Graham regarding the matter.
“The buses were stopping in the middle of the road and some residents who had knee or hip replacements found it very difficult to ascend, and for those with walkers or wheelchairs, it was impossible for them to get on the bus. Some of the drivers refused to lower the bus for us and I have complained about this as well,” said Daniels.
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Councillor Graham jumped at the chance to help the residents and held a meeting with them to discuss the issue.
“I called eThekwini Transport Authority out for a meeting. An option was to post a security guard on site to ensure the parking space was left open for buses, but this was a labour intensive and costly solution. We requested the bus sign be moved a few meters forward so the bus could stop next to the pavement on the road, and this has now been done. I am hoping the buses will take note of this change,” she said.
Daniels said she had noticed there had been a difference since the sign had been moved, and thanked Councillor Graham for her efforts and concern.
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