Like any new project, the much-trumpeted “Albanian Railway” project has been accompanied by a shadow of doubt.
Recently, the category of people with different abilities has appeared concerned.
“I have seen that the category of people with different abilities is always forgotten, in the infrastructures of those that are rehabilitated or built from scratch. I have seen several cases in the city of Durrës, that it has been requested that the infrastructures or buildings have adaptability for people with different abilities, it has been promised and forgotten. I share this concern, seeing this major project”, said Flamur Bala, activist.
“We were just promised with words, but they did not present us any project, which shows that the new railway building will be built with a ramp, the right slope”, he says.
From building infrastructure to trains and toilets, these requirements include everything to ensure that rail services are accessible and usable by them.
In order to give an official answer to this raised concern, Euronews Albania addressed a request for information to the Albanian Railways. In the answer given, they emphasize that the rehabilitation of the Durrës-Tirana railway line, as well as the construction of the railway line to Rinas International Airport, include all the spaces and specifications necessary for the mobility of persons with disabilities.
According to the response, the elements that will enable and improve access for users with disabilities are:
- Elevators and ramps
- Handrails on ramps and stairs
- Large print and tactile braille signs
- Audio and visual information systems
- Accessible ticket booth windows
- Warning strips at the edges of the platform
- Accessible toilets
