Japan’s Transport Ministry plans to make Barrier-Free Services on Public Transport Mandatory

From Jiji Press

January 16th 2020

TOKYO – Japan’s transport ministry plans to oblige public transport operators to offer appropriate barrier-free services, it was learned Thursday.

The ministry plans to make public transportation easily accessible to those with disabilities and the elderly by having the operators of taxis, buses and trains master how to use barrier-free equipment, such as slope boards for wheelchair users.

A bill to revise a law on promoting the smooth transportation of elderly and disabled people will be submitted at the ordinary session of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, to be convened Monday.

The ministry presented an outline of the planned bill to a panel including experts and gained broad approval Thursday.

In Japan, barrier-free facilities and equipment have increased significantly. Meanwhile, complaints have arisen about transportation staff not used to such equipment, including drivers of “universal design” accessible taxis who struggled to set slope boards for wheelchair users.