Differently-abled must get priority on public buses, says Kankara

By NOEL IYOMBWA GIVE priority to persons with disabilities on public buses, Capital Buses proprietor Ishmael Kankara has urged bus operators. In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Kankara noted that persons with disabilities face challenges when using public transport hence the need for transporters to give them first priority whenever they are boarding buses. He said it is a policy at Capital Buses to reserve front seats for persons with disabilities and for drivers and conductors to help them whenever they disembark from buses. “We understand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in using public buses hence at Capital it is our policy to ensure that these people are given special treatment, for example, front seats are always reserved for such people. He however observed that bus stations are not effective hence it is difficult to follow rules on how these people should be treated at bus stations. Mr Kankara said that there is no need for the government to come in because it is common sense that drivers give persons with disabilities first priority. Recently, Mr Jethro Daka, a differently-abled person complained that many persons with disabilities face challenges when using public transport such that sometimes they are made to pay double the fare. And Private and Public Buses of Zambia president Josiah Majuru said the association intends to engage the authorities over the matter. Mr Majuru said the Road Transport and Safety Agency should come up with policies that will see to it that any bus driver who leaves out persons with disability is charged