ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MARKS A MILESTONE AT THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

Lima 2019 will mark a milestone at the Pan American and Parapan American Games. After being recognized as the best-organized multi-sports event of the continent in history, Lima 2019 is now considered the event with the best accessible transport system of the Americas.  

 “This is the largest accessible transport operation ever held in Peru. We have transferred Para athletes, technical personnel, judges, media and international delegates on a daily basis through a fleet of vehicles, including cars, vans and buses," emphasized Álvaro Castro, head of the Lima 2019 Transportation Area.

He estimated that during the first five days of Parapan American competitions, 4000 wheelchair users have been transferred and he projected that the number will surpass 10,000 trips when the Games end.

“This marks a milestone in the history of our country in terms of accessible transportation and we are very proud to take part in Lima 2019 and achieve this milestone for our city and Peru,” he said.

EQUIPPED AND ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

Álvaro Castro said that 210 buses will be available to transport Para athletes, 70 of which can be adapted for eight wheelchairs each. While 140 vehicles are adaptable for two wheelchairs.

“And we have 33 vans adapted for three wheelchairs, fully equipped, which facilitates the transfer of people with an impairment,” he added, pointing out that the general perception about Para athletes transportation has been very positive.

“Transport operations are also marking a milestone in the history of the Games, not only in Peru, but also at an international level, because of the comments we have received from technical delegates and the athletes themselves, which fills us with pride as an organization and a country," he said.

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.