Wheelchair users in Cape Town continue to face significant barriers to independence as widespread infrastructure defects persist across the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) network. Despite a decade of public assurances that stations and rolling stock would be made fully accessible, critical components such as functional lifts and level platforms remain largely unavailable to those with mobility impairments.
Infrastructure Failures And The Reality Of Commuting
As of July 2026, PRASA confirmed that 29 of its 121 stations in the Western Cape lack the necessary infrastructure to support universal accessibility. Furthermore, official data from 2024 revealed that of 38 station lifts across the province, only 13 are currently operational, forcing many commuters to navigate stairs or rely on physical assistance from strangers.
Even where stations are nominally accessible, significant gaps and height differences between platforms and carriage floors prevent independent boarding. Commuters often find that alternative public transport options, such as minibus taxis and standard buses, fail to meet accessibility requirements, frequently leaving the disabled community dependent on costly e-hailing services.
Community Impact And Institutional Response
For many residents, the lack of reliable transport infrastructure is more than a logistical inconvenience; it directly impacts their dignity and independence. Speaking during a recent navigation of the rail system, Khanyo Mantshi noted that the lack of accessible options often forces reliance on others: “A taxi is not an option for me, because I always feel like a burden to people who are forced to help me to get on and off the taxi, and the taxi drivers are not particularly patient or friendly.”
In response to recurring concerns regarding the pace of improvements, PRASA stated that achieving full universal accessibility is a substantial long-term project. The agency cited the scale of its infrastructure portfolio, the advanced age of many station facilities, and the significant capital investment required as primary factors impacting the speed of the rollout. Stakeholders expect sustained advocacy as the government faces pressure to reconcile national policy commitments with the daily realities of citizens who remain excluded from the rail network.