CINTABILITAS, a Campaign for Inclusive Public Transportation in Indonesia

Public transportation is vital in an urban society. It connects people, places, and functions to ensure that life goes on. Ideally, it is the most affordable, most effective, and most accessible option for everyone. However, as in many aspects of society, public transportation still struggles to be inclusive and disability-friendly.

On Indonesia’s National Transportation Day (9/17) this year, the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP) and Indonesian Women with Disabilities Association (HWDI) teamed up to launch a month-long campaign for safe and friendly public transportation for people with disabilities. The campaign was titled CINTABILITAS, short for Inclusive Stories about Disabilities.

The press release stated that CINTABILITAS aimed to educate transportation service providers and users to understand and care more about people with disabilities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People with disabilities are becoming increasingly vulnerable during the pandemic, and it is our duty to ensure their safety through inclusive policies and services, especially in public facilities,” said Saputra Liadi, the UNDP National Project Manager of Response Towards Resilience (RESTORE) project.

The campaign involved posters and brandings at public transportation facilities such as bus stops, commuter line train stations, and MRT stations. They conveyed the importance of accessible public transportation for people with disabilities and reminded people to enforce the COVID-19 health protocol.

CINTABILITAS campaign branding at Indonesia Commuter Line. | Source: Detik

CINTABILITAS produced an infographic video to educate the public on disability-inclusive transportation. The video explains the different types of disability, the hardships people with disabilities face, and what inclusive public transportation should provide to anticipate their needs. It highlights the importance of accessibility, interaction, and inclusive information.

This campaign was also delivered through a short film about the daily occurrence of people with disabilities at transportation facilities such as an online taxi, a bus, a train, and an MRT. The actors featured in this short film are real people with different types of disabilities. This short film sends a message for us to take care of each other, protect each other, and spread kindness.

The videos were posted on the social media channels of UNDP Indonesia and HWDI. They were also posted on social media channels and at the onsite facilities of PT. Transportation Jakarta (PT. Transjakarta), PT. Kereta Commuter Indonesia (PT. KCI), and PT. MRT Jakarta as partners such as bus stops, commuter line train stations, and MRT stations.

The head of HWDI, Maulani Rotinsulu, shared, “we hope this campaign can inspire public transportation users to be more empathetic and ethical towards people with disabilities, with the spirit of equal access to transportation service.”

Editor: Marlis Afridah

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Nazalea Kusuma

Managing Editor at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Naz is the Manager of International Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She is an experienced and passionate writer, editor, proofreader, translator, and creative designer with over a decade of portfolio. Her history of living in multiple areas across Southeast Asia and studying Urban and Regional Planning exposed her to diverse peoples and cultures, enriching her perspectives and sharpening her intersectionality mindset in her storytelling and advocacy on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development.