Passengers with disabilities should be able to use public transport independently. The FOT supports transport companies in implementing the legal requirements.
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© FFS
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) stipulates that public transport must be barrier-free and in general allow passengers with disabilities to use it autonomously. These statutory measures benefit other passengers too.
The transport companies and infrastructure operators are responsible for implementing the measures, while the cantons and communes are responsible for bus stops.
In recent years, great progress has been made in installing disabled-friendly information and ticketing systems, procuring low-floor vehicles, raising platforms and building additional ramps and lifts. Priority was given to major railway stations in these works. However, by the legal deadline of the end of 2023, the transport companies had not managed to complete the modifications at around 500 of the 1,800 stations and stops. For these, transport companies must provide interim measures (assistance from railway staff or, if necessary, a shuttle service) until the stations can be used independently by people with disabilities.
The FOT supports companies in implementing the DDA. Where there are delays to adapting stations, the FOT requires transport companies to submit time schedules and budgets to avoid any further delay to implementation. The FOT provides funding and ensures a standardised technical implementation by issuing guidelines and checklists.
Links
Federal Bureau for the Equality FBED
Swiss Federal Statistical Office: People with Disabilities
People with reduced mobility and public transport
Organisations for elderly persons and for people with disabilities
International sites
