In an unprecedented project in the capital, 1,440 bus stops are being modified to accommodate persons in wheelchairs. The project is primarily funded by the Ministry of Transportation in cooperation with Jerusalem City Hall, modifying and replacing bus stops to enable persons in wheelchairs to benefit from the bus shelter.

In addition, and perhaps more importantly, the curb oppose stops will be adjusted to accommodate the level of the bus stop to permit wheelchair bound persons to move from one to the other without having to navigate a high curb.

Officials report the project has been underway for less than a year, and approximately 50% of the bus stops have been done, projecting a completion date of 2014. To date, 12 million NIS was invested towards renovating 750 stops in proximity of the light rail towards facilitating transfer between buses and trains.

The new stops built for the light rail are the same, accommodating wheelchair bound persons, and officials points out Jerusalem is the first city in Israel to take the move.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)