Prejudice against people with disabilities is rife across Cyprus’ public transport, the association of the blind charged on Thursday.
It accused the transport ministry of being indifferent to the humiliation and prejudice people with disabilities face, as well as squandering hundreds of thousands of euros on systems they fail to implement.
In a statement, the association said multiple complaints put to the minister “have not been taken into account.”
This includes allegations that buses speed past bus stops with drivers not caring if someone was waiting, and even cases of drivers not letting them sit in the designated seats for people with disabilities.
“They even force them to remain standing for the duration of the journey.”
The association charged bus companies and the ministry were “refusing to activate the system announcing bus stops” calling it squandering public funds, as the system has been installed on buses.
“They are robbing blind people and elderly passengers the right to carry out their journey independently and with dignity.”
At the same time, key bus stops have been scrapped causing knock-on effects with passengers struggling to get to work on time, leading them to use taxis “with heavy financial burdens.”
Bus drivers “are often offensive and aggressive against passengers with disabilities, showing absolutely no respect.”
It is high time the government creates public transport facilities that can treat blind people as equals, the association stressed.
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