Friday, June 3, 2022

Japan's transit system revamps for broader accessibility

The reopening of Japan to groups of international travelers on June 10 provides an opportunity for the country to show off its evolving tran

The reopening of Japan to groups of international travelers on June 10 provides an opportunity for the country to show off its evolving transit system. Trains and subways, while hailed for their high-speed mobility, have long been perceived as difficult to use for people with physical disabilities, and the government has been working to change that.

Since 2013, when Tokyo was awarded the 2020-2021 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the city has devoted resources to making public transportation more accessible. Tokyo Metro has raised fares, with the additional funds allocated for accessibility upgrades, and introduced features like QR codes that allow staff to assist larger volumes of disabled riders. Since tourists have been largely restricted from entering Japan since March 2020, the reopening is Japan's chance to demonstrate how much progress has been made — and how much is still needed, writes contributor Allan Richarz. Today on CityLab:  Japan's Transit System Gets Serious About Disability Access

-Angel Adegbesan

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