DoTr to ensure train accessibility

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it will adopt accessible travel policy (ATP) guidelines for all railway operators and maintenance providers to ensure rail systems are more inclusive and disability friendly.

“We must ensure that daily travel is easier and that the railways are welcoming for all commuters,” Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said in a media release on Wednesday.

The Transportation department said it will promote inclusivity across all rail lines to enable more safe and reliable transportation for all passengers.

Under Department Order No. 2025-024, railway operators must train staff on disability awareness and gender sensitivity, provide wheelchair boarding assistance at designated help points, and improve accessibility through clearer audio and visual announcements.

Existing operators must prepare for the transition and should outline compliance plans for the rollout of the guidelines, the DoTr said, adding that this plan will also be fully integrated in North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway project.

“With the ATP Guidelines, railway operators for the first time are formally guided to ensure that services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of the passengers,” DoTr said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose