Rob Gerritsen from Breda is going crazy because of the constantly broken elevator at the station in his hometown. Rob is in a wheelchair and has to take endless detours. He believes that ProRail is failing due to the many failures and the slow repairs. “I’m lucky if I can get to the platform in ten minutes.”
A group of activists came to the station in Breda on Tuesday afternoon to draw attention to the broken station elevator. The organizer of the action was the local branch of the SP. He believes that owner ProRail is excluding people from traveling by public transport due to the failures and slow repairs.
“A working elevator is rare.”
Gerritsen is one of the regular elevator users. At least, if he does it. “A working elevator is unfortunately rare,” says Gerritsen. “With a broken elevator, I’m lucky if I can get to the platform in ten minutes. I have to go around the station building and up a hill. I’m still strong and fit. That route is not feasible for people with mobility problems.”
According to Gerritsen, it is not only people in wheelchairs who are victims. Parents with a stroller or elderly people with a walker also encounter problems. Gerritsen believes that things cannot continue like this. “It concerns an incredible number of people who suffer from this. Imagine that you have to be somewhere on time for work. That is simply not possible.”
“We talk a lot about inclusivity in the Netherlands.”
According to ProRail, the lift will not be repaired until February at the earliest. The fact that it is not possible earlier is due to a broken part that is not in stock and therefore had to be ordered. If you ask Gerritsen, it is unacceptable that people have to wait so long for a solution. “ProRail must provide an alternative if the elevator is broken. You are morally obliged to do so to your travelers. We talk about inclusivity in the Netherlands, while we score the worst in all of Europe when it comes to accessibility.”
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Niels also had problems with a broken station elevator. Not in Breda, but in Geldrop