Wheelchair-friendly buses set to hit the
roads
SINGAPORE : The Singapore Bus Service will begin its wheelchair
accessible bus service on Tuesday.
Ten wheelchair-friendly buses will be hitting the roads; they will
be the first of more than 3,500 the bus company is acquiring over
the next 17 years.
The buses represent a huge milestone for the physically challenged,
like 37-year-old Tam Ah Hock, who is president of the Handicaps
Welfare Association.
Singapore's first wheelchair friendly buses -- on SBS service 21 --
will ply the Pasir Ris to St Michael's route daily.
To commemorate this occasion, all wheelchair-bound passengers will
get to travel free till the end of July.
Service 21 was chosen for the launch after consultation with
Voluntary Welfare Organisations and the Land Transport
Authority.
The service runs past the Handicaps Welfare Association in Whampoa,
and allows its members direct access to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and
other medical facilities.
Passengers in wheelchairs will have a specially-designated area
with a padded backrest, handrails and a button to signal their
intention to alight.
Said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development,
Youth and Sports, "Getting onto a public bus is just step one. But
the real objective is to make sure you go to work, get to school,
enjoy recreational activities and even more important, to be
together with your family. No point in having a family outing if
you have to leave somebody behind."
The minister also asked the public to be understanding and gracious
to people in wheelchairs and to make way for them.
Said Sherena Loh Shook Han, member of the Handicaps Welfare
Association, "We do not mind being looked at for the fact that
we're different; we're on a wheelchair. But the only thing is
probably the people would be a bit more mindful if no unkind
remarks are passed. Otherwise it would discourage the disabled
person to come again."
As part of the public awareness for this new service, motorists are
asked to steer clear of bus stops as the wheelchair-friendly buses
need to stop close to the kerbs to deploy the ramp properly.
To ensure the safety and comfort of passengers in wheelchairs, the
bus captains have been trained to operate the wheelchair ramp and
take care of their ticketing needs, if asked to. - CNA
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