Electric Buggies for Disabled Shoppers

Cardiff Council has revealed new club cars as their transport solution for elderly and disabled visitors in the Welsh capital.

Similar to electric golf buggies, the new city cars will replace the previously under used, free bus service transporting shoppers through the pedestrian area in the city centre, helping to reduce inner city traffic.

In use around the world, in locations such as Disney World and various international airports, the carts have shown great promise as accessible transport and in creating car-free zones.

Mobility Cars on Trail

Tried and tested by Cardiff Council, the city cars have been used for the National Eisteddfod held in Cardiff city in 2008, the recent RHS Flower Show and the Armed Forces Day, carrying disabled veterans from Cardiff Castle to Cardiff Bay.

To be trialled together with larger electric wheelchair accessible cars and minibuses, the golf buggies have been included in a suite of solutions to make Cardiff city centre car free and easier for those with mobility problems to get around parts of the city closed to cars.

Accessible Transport for All

Also offering seven-seater electric vans as a dial-a-ride service to pick up disabled shoppers from their home, the Council has put in place plans to drop passengers at set locations in the city where they would then be picked up by the smaller electric buggies, which can travel at 5 miles per hour. Throughout the trial, the council will gauge demand and potential routes within the city.

In addition to the electric car trials the Council has launched a consultation with Age Concern and Cardiff Access Group to find the best possible successor to the free bus service.

Costing £23,000, the electric car trials are due to start within the coming month and will be entirely funded by the Assembly Government.

For information on the project and to take part in the consultation emailcitycentreprojects@cardiff.gov.uk or write to Major Projects, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, CF10 3RB.