According to the mayor of the district, disabled people are particularly interested in the question of whether there are opportunities to change the stop of public transport from our city to Vilnius. Passengers should be dropped off and picked up outside the ”Molėtai plento” stop on Loksininkai street. like now, and as close as possible to Santaras clinics, Santariškių st.
Will look for ways to conclude a new contract
Reda Giriūnaitė, acting director of UAB “Rokiškio autobusų parko”, reminded that the company has a contract with the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration (TSA) that is valid until 2024. December 31 Until then, the conditions cannot be changed, but R. Giriūnaitė promised to find out the possibilities of changing the stopping place of the Rokiškis-Vilnius intercity bus when preparing a new contract.
“I think that we will be able to come to an agreement with the TSA, if only there is a place in the territory of the Santaras clinics to turn around and let the bus pass,” R. Giriūnaitė has no doubts.
Two new buses will soon arrive in Rokiškis
Vice-mayor A. Kaupienė said that she had received complaints from disabled people that they could not enter buses with walking supports that do not fold. As R. Giriūnaitė explained, there are low-floor buses in the city, disabled people with supports should definitely have easy access to them. R. Giriūnaitė said she would inquire whether it is also easy to get to small city buses. ”But there is one big problem – the curbs on the sidewalks, they prevent the bus doors from opening normally and getting on board,” remarked R. Giriūnaitė.
The doors of intercity buses are wide enough and, according to R. Giriūnaitė, they really fit such supports.
At the same time, the director of the Rokiškis bus park shared the good news – the procurement of new transport is underway and in two to three months brand new buses of 2024 production, which will be used for intercity routes, should arrive.
“I really want to believe that we will get new buses already this year. These are 35-seater buses, perfectly adapted for the disabled, with special lifts, Braille writing on the handles, and audible signals,” said R. Giriūnaitė.
The Rokiškis bus fleet buys them in installments, and the company itself earned the required contribution.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.6&appId=161777944003932”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.6&appId=161777944003932”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
2024-11-27 07:44:00
What improvements are being considered for bus stops to enhance accessibility for disabled individuals in Rokiškis?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Reda Giriūnaitė, Acting Director of UAB “Rokiškio autobusų parko”
Time.news Editor: Good day, Reda, and thank you for joining us today. There’s been significant discussion around the transportation options for disabled individuals in Rokiškis, particularly regarding intercity travel to Vilnius. Could you start by elucidating the current situation with the bus stops?
Reda Giriūnaitė: Thank you for having me! Yes, the current stopping situation for the Rokiškis-Vilnius intercity bus does pose challenges, especially for disabled passengers. The bus currently picks up and drops off passengers at the “Molėtai plento” stop on Loksininkai street, which is not ideal for those needing closer access to facilities like Santaras clinics.
Time.news Editor: It seems like there’s a real need for improvement here. The mayor mentioned that disabled individuals are particularly interested in possibly relocating the bus stop to enhance accessibility. Can we expect any developments in this area?
Reda Giriūnaitė: Absolutely! While we are bound by our current contract with the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration, which runs until December 31, 2024, I am committed to exploring options for a new stop as we prepare the new contract. I believe we can reach a solution with TSA if we can find a suitable location within the clinics’ territory that would accommodate a turnaround for the buses.
Time.news Editor: That sounds promising. And along with ensuring access to bus stops, there are reports that disabled individuals have encountered issues boarding buses. Can you elaborate on the accessibility of your fleet?
Reda Giriūnaitė: Yes, I have received complaints specifically regarding buses that cannot accommodate non-folding walking supports. We currently operate low-floor buses designed to assist individuals with mobility aids, and we need to ensure these are the primary option available for disabled passengers. I will also look into the accessibility of smaller city buses.
Time.news Editor: That’s essential. You’ve touched on a vital point about the infrastructure, such as curbs on sidewalks that may hinder accessibility. What actions are in place or being considered to address this issue?
Reda Giriūnaitė: Indeed, curbs can often obstruct the door mechanisms on buses, making boarding difficult. It’s a significant issue that we recognize needs addressing. Collaborating with local authorities to improve infrastructure is critical for enhancing overall accessibility. Additionally, we are excited that two new low-floor buses will soon be arriving in Rokiškis, which will also improve the situation.
Time.news Editor: The arrival of new buses sounds like a step in the right direction! How do you envision the impact of these changes on the disabled community in Rokiškis?
Reda Giriūnaitė: I believe these improvements will greatly enhance transport options for disabled individuals, allowing for more independence and ease of travel. By facilitating better access to public transport, we can help ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of their mobility challenges, can participate fully in society.
Time.news Editor: It’s encouraging to hear your commitment to enhancing mobility for all. Thank you for your insights today, Reda. We look forward to seeing how these developments unfold in the coming months!
Reda Giriūnaitė: Thank you for this opportunity! I appreciate the platform to discuss our efforts, and I look forward to sharing more positive updates in the future.