THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality are in the process of conducting an online survey to help improve transport access and infrastructure delivery in the metro.
The survey consists of five sections, where residents will be required to state their travel patterns, access needs and the cost of their transport services.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said, “It (the survey) needs the help of all current and future users of public transport in the metro to enable it to provide all transport users with universal access to public transport.
“For that purpose, the municipality needs to know your needs and requirements, to update and complement the limited data it has, so that its planners and engineers can design infrastructure that addresses real needs.”
This initiative was suggested after the development of the Universally Accessible (UA) infrastructure had been high on the agenda of the National Department of Transport and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro for several years.
“With the ongoing phased implementation of the Libhongolethu Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS), the priority for UA implementation is in tandem with the increase in the service roll-out,” Mniki commented.
The survey is available on the NMBM website (www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za) and all information provided will be treated as confidential. Residents are requested to provide optional information, such as their name, a form of identification, contact details, as well as their demographic group.
This will allow the municipality to build a database of special users and their needs.
The data will be used to profile user groups and their needs across the municipality. This will then be used to develop UA infrastructure and public transport services over the multi-year implementation of the IPTS.
The data gathered from the survey will also be used to understand the specific transport requirements of people with special needs.
In overall, the result of the survey after analysis will help the municipality to plan, design and implement a transport system that will be able to accommodate everyone regardless of each person’s specific transport need.
“The UA design team will analyse the survey data and report on the findings thereof, which will subsequently be used to update the municipality’s Universal Design Access Plan (UDAP) and Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP).
“The two documents will go the council for approval. After that, the findings and the recommendations from the two documents will be followed to implement a universally accessible transport system within the city,” Mniki said.
According to Mniki, planning officials will have a better understanding of the challenges faced by UA users in the municipality, as well as the magnitude and spatial distribution of their needs.
This will guide the municipality to the provision of the appropriate services, public transport and infrastructure.
Mniki added, “Whether or not you are a person with mobility impairments, a passenger on public transport, an elderly person, a mother who accompanies her children, a walker, cyclist, wheelchair bound or a private car user, we need your input.
“Please take the time to complete the questionnaire and be a part of creating a better transport experience for yourself and all residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
The survey officially commenced on May 29, and is planned to end on June 30.
