City Clarifies Dial-a-Ride Registration Process

The City of Cape Town's media release of 3 November 2010 'City introduces new registration process for Dial-a-Ride transport service' has, unfortunately, resulted in consternation and uncertainty amongst affected persons. It is therefore essential that the process currently underway is clearly explained.

"The City would like to emphasise the fact that the call for registration does not imply that the Dial-a-Ride (DAR) service is being cancelled or changed. The current service and operations will continue in their present form, until we have clarity on how many more people need the service and how we should proceed," said Maddie Mazaza, the City's Director: Transport.

In terms of Section 11 of the National Land Transport Act, No 5 of 2009, the City must ensure: 'that there is provision for the needs of special categories of passengers in planning and providing public transport infrastructure, facilities and services to meet their needs, in so far as possible by the system provided for mainstream public transport'.

"The City introduced the DAR service in 1995 and since then the demand for the service has grown at a tremendous rate. The current service is not meeting the demand for mobility from people with disabilities who cannot use mainstream public transport. It is in this context that the City has called for registration of users in order to verify the current database and to inform the review and design of the service", Mazaza explained.

A multi-disciplinary team with representation from the National, Provincial and City Departments of Transport, Health, Education and Social Development, organised business and disability networks, will oversee the process for the review and design of the service.

"It has come to my attention that there is some misunderstanding about the DAR registration process and I have asked the City's Transport Department to ensure that the process is inclusive and that consultations take place widely, especially with affected people. I encourage affected persons and organisations to participate in these upcoming processes, and to register as soon as possible," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects, Councillor Elizabeth Thompson.

The City urges all current and potential users to register by 31 December 2010.

A copy of the registration form can be obtained from the DAR drivers or requested by e-mail from transport.info@capetown.gov.za or completed online at www.capetown.gov.za/transportinfo.

For detailed information on the registration process and the DAR service, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/transportinfo.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town