The City of Cape Town's plans to restrict its Dial-a-Ride transport service for people with disabilities have been halted by a court interdict amid an ongoing legal review. Visually impaired users fear losing essential mobility for work, health, and social needs. Advocacy groups argue the changes discriminate unfairly and violate equality laws.
Dial-a-Ride, a kerb-to-kerb public transport service operating under the MyCiTi system for about 30 years, supports people with disabilities unable to use mainstream options. On 7 August 2025, the City announced it would revert to the service's original mandate due to budget limits, limiting eligibility from 8 September to those in manual or motorised wheelchairs and individuals with severe walking impairments, solely for work commutes.
This would exclude ad-hoc trips, students, elderly passengers, and those with visual, mental, or cognitive impairments. Letters to blind users confirmed these restrictions, prompting swift action. The Western Cape Network on Disability and #UniteBehind, supported by the People’s Legal Centre, filed a legal application at the Western Cape High Court with affidavits from 19 affected individuals. On 10 October, the court granted a 60-day interim interdict, pausing the cuts while a full review seeks to declare them unlawful.
Users like Sergil January and Benjamin Pedro, both blind and employed at the Cape Town Society for the Blind, have relied on Dial-a-Ride since 2022 after a 16-year wait. January commutes from Retreat to Salt River and visits family in Athlone, paying around R21 per trip—far cheaper than e-hailing alternatives. "People may assume that because we have the ability to walk independently, that we can travel independently," January said. "That is not the case."
Pedro, an orientation specialist, travels from Athlone to Salt River and Eerste River, stressing safety benefits after a past accident. Chief executive Judith Coetzee noted booking difficulties since the announcement, despite the interdict. Anthony Ghillino, Network chairperson and wheelchair user since 2002, highlighted the lack of consultation, calling it unfair discrimination under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
Funding woes persist: the R30-million budget, split equally among national, provincial, and municipal levels, hasn't adjusted for inflation. Mayoral committee member Rob Quintas acknowledged national shortages after a meeting with Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, emphasizing the need for better models. The Network is petitioning Parliament to amend the National Land Transport Act for inclusive transport. "People with disabilities simply want to enjoy the things and freedoms that citizens of Cape Town and South Africa as a whole take for granted every day," Ghillino said.