Experience-based suggestions for improving accessibility of minibus taxis for wheelchair users

African Journal of Disability

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Experience-based suggestions for improving accessibility of minibus taxis for wheelchair users
 
Creator Fredericks, Jerome P. Visagie, Surona van Niekerk, Lana
 
Subject Rural health; Primary health care; Education wheelchair users; minibus taxi drivers, minibus taxis; caregivers; access; accessibility; transport; co-operative inquiry; peri-urban; marginalised
Description Background: Accessible transport is a prerequisite for the sustainable developmental goals (SDGs). Without transport, SDGs dependent on community mobility such as health and well-being, education, work and economic growth cannot be achieved.Objectives: Presenting experience-based suggestions offered by stakeholders to facilitate accessible minibus taxi services for wheelchair users in the peri-urban setting.Method: The study setting was Paarl-East, Western Cape province of South Africa. A cooperative inquiry methodology was used. Adult wheelchair users (n = 9) and their caregivers (n = 8), minibus taxi drivers (n = 7) and stakeholders (n = 4) involved in disability matters in the setting participated. Data were collected in 16 group sessions. Inductive thematic analysis was performed.Results: Five themes emerged. Theme 1: The ideal communication platform; the need and purpose of databases of wheelchair users and minibus taxi drivers; the use of social media as a communication platform. Theme 2: Fair economical fares focus on service affordability and payment options. Theme 3: Facilitating ideal behaviour patterns discusses the development of mutual respect. Theme 4: Customised minibus taxis highlight the need for a fleet of minibus taxis with different specifications to address different wheelchair users’ needs. Theme 5: Minibus taxi service delivery considerations describes practical strategies such as home pickups and drop-offs.Conclusion: Current suggestions for solutions need further refinement. Accountability and funding are underexplored.Contribution: Presenting experience-based suggestions by stakeholders on facilitating accessible minibus taxi services for wheelchair users.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor I acknowledge all the co-researchers for providing their consent and willingness to participate in the inquiry. Rev J Pansegrouw for the availability of the venue. Ms M Johnson for her support. Mandy Fredericks assisting with logistics.
Date 2025-08-30
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1699
 
Source African Journal of Disability; Vol 14 (2025); 12 pages 2226-7220 2223-9170
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1699/3654 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1699/3655 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1699/3656 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1699/3657
 
Coverage Africa; South Africa; Western Cape; Winelands 2021 - 2024 Age; Gender; Ethnicity; Wheelchair users, Minibus taxi drivers, Caregivers
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Jerome P. Fredericks, Surona Visagie, Lana van Niekerk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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