What is an “accessible” means of transport?

An accessible method of transport allows everyone, whatever their situation, to travel independently.

This vision of accessibility is championed by Île-de-France Mobilités, which annually invests in an active transformation policy for its network. This policy aims to create increasingly adapted mobility solutions for passengers. It is a collaborative effort involving passenger groups, operators, local authorities, and the Île-de-France Region.

Let’s look at the different developments that contribute to the construction of accessible mobility.

Before the trip: access to buildings

• Development of infrastructure surrounding stops, stations and level, barrier-free access to the transport network,
• Automatic glass doors with clear indications to facilitate passenger flows and alert users,
• Tactile strips indicating stairs, escalators, lifts, ticket offices, entrances, exits and the edge of platforms,
• Guidance strips to help visually impaired people find their way,
• Wide corridors for easy circulation for all,
• Slopes to facilitate the passage of people in wheelchairs,
• Access ramps. 

A station is considered accessible when a person with reduced mobility can access it without obstacles from the immediate surroundings at street level, move around freely and use the travel services (customer service, ticket sales, information and boarding the train).

Before the journey: access to information and ticketing

• Passenger information systems with both visual and audible cues,
• Lowered counters and machines for use by people in wheelchairs,
• Voice assistance available for visually impaired people at self-service machines,
• Presence of a magnetic strip, a listening aid system installed at the counter or on the bus for deaf or hard of hearing people,
• Staff trained in welcoming and informing people with disabilities,
• Sound beacons that can be triggered by the universal remote control to identify entrances and service points for visually impaired people.

Before the journey: access to platforms

• Waiting areas with seats,
• Wide platforms to ease of passenger flows for all,
• Presence of escalators and lifts for access to platforms,
• Passenger information systems, both visual and audible,
• Tactile strips to raise awareness on platforms, lift, escalators and steps.

During the journey: on board

• Automatic opening of vehicle doors,
• Raised platforms: the platform and the train are at the same level to ease boarding the vehicle,
• Sound and light signals announcing the opening and closing of doors to raise awareness,
• Passenger information systems, both visual and audible, to indicate the different stations at which the vehicle stops on the route,
• Spaces reserved for people in wheelchairs.

On the road network

• At bus and tram stops, paths suitable for wheelchairs and that facilitate access for strollers and people with reduced mobility,
• Covered stops with seated waiting areas,
• Buses equipped with a ramp bridging the gap between the road and the bus to facilitate boarding,
• Spaces reserved for wheelchair users on board.

Aware of the developments and efforts that still need to be made, year after year, Île-de-France Mobilités is investing in an increasingly accessible regional public transport network.

In addition to the concrete developments and work carried out on the network, other initiatives are being put in place to make travel a little easier for people affected by mobility issues.