Madrid – Buses ramping up service

Madrid’s municipal transport company increased its operational bus fleet to 90% of normal service at peak times in response to the first stage of deconfinement, which began on 25 May. The buses are running with a much lower capacity, having blocked off half of the available seats and capped the number of people who may travel standing. More information (in Spanish) here.

This move has come in combination with a new campaign to raise awareness about the needs of disabled people traveling on public transport. Learn about the campaign (in Spanish) here.

Contact: Ana Buñuel

Cardiff – Young carers’ support

Cardiff is supporting young carers who have to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem. Young carers can reach out through WhatsApp group chats, and they can access daily updates and activities to engage with their relatives at home. These include live video chats, workshops and educational videos, as well as information about other support services. Read more here

Contact: Beverley Watson

Katowice – Buses for testing

Katowice is sending three buses to collect samples from its residents. The collective effort of the three teams will give the city a testing capacity of 3000 tests a month. By monitoring testing needs, the city will evaluate if it needs to arrange more buses. To further limit the spread, the city disinfects bus and tram stops, benches and trash bins, tunnels and underground passages on a daily basis. Special attention is given to handles and facilities for the disabled. Read more here and here (in Polish)

Contact: Judyta Etmanska

Toulouse – Food to the isolated

Toulouse is distributing food to isolated elderly and disabled persons. The food kits are delivered every Wednesday by teams of civil servants from the municipality, and contain bread, tin cans, hard cheese, fruits, compote and biscuits.

The beneficiaries of the the scheme were identified and registered by a senior service hotline, and by a census established by the municipal services with the help of an associative network, social landlords and social workers at the psychiatric hospital. Read more (in French) here.

Contact: Isabelle Durou

Zagreb – Urgent response on two fronts

Despite the recent impacts of an earthquake on 22 March, Zagreb is also preparing its coronavirus response. One public institution, which focusses on the rehabilitation of disabled people, has switched its activities to produce face masks, for example. See more here:

Contact: international.relations@zagreb.hr