Snag over Rapid KL bus facilities for the
disabled
Tuesday April 24, 2007
By CHRISTINA LOW
Photos by UU BAN
TheStar
MORE than 30 individuals from various NGO's ga-thered at the
Bangsar LRT station recently to try out the new facilities for the
disabled provided by Rapid KL.
We were so excited when we were told that facilities for the
disabled would be available on public buses as it would definitely
help us to get about, said K. Segaran, a member of the Independent
Living and Training Centre.
The 20-year-old said with such facilities available, he did not
have to rely on taxis or friends to move about.
Troublesome: The bus is parked close to the
curb to enable the disabled passengers to get on
board.
However, the group was a little disappointed when some flaws in the
facilities became apparent.
Every time the bus stops, it has to be parked near the road curb
to enable the driver to lift and connect the ramp to the curb. Only
then can those using wheelchairs come down.
In other countries, the bus is designed to match the curb to make
it easy for those using wheelchairs and mothers using prambulators
for their babies to get in and out of the bus.
This is a hassle as each time the driver has to get down and
assist us.
Furthermore, the bus not only caters to the disabled but also able
passengers, said Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the
Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) president Anthony
Thanasayan.
Thanasayan said one solution would be using a hydraulic
lift.
Hydraulic lifts have been used in buses for many years in other
countries. We should follow suit,'' he said.
Another shortcoming is the narrow passageway on the buses. Those
using a bigger wheelchair would find it difficult to move in and
out.
The group said they did not want to rely on others to move about
and wanted facilities that would help them lead an independent
life.
We are thought to be independent but with such obstacles, it is
difficult,'' said Thanasayan.
He said Rapid KL should get ideas and feedback from the disabled as
different individuals had different needs.
Support Group Society for the Blind of Malaysia (Supporteam)
secretary Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russel said the bus company
should also announce each stop for the benefit of the blind.
He said the names of the stops should also be announced.
Also, he said the empty space at the front part of the bus for
wheelchairs should be fitted with folding chairs for the
able-bodied to use.
The empty space is wasted when no wheelchair users are on board,
said Abdul Karim.
When contacted, Rapid KL's senior manager of corporate
communications division Katherine Chew said the company had met up
with members from the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible
Transport Group (BEAT) to understand and discuss the facilities
that the bus company should provide for its customers before
finalising details.
We even tested the service with them and they seemed happy with
it, said Chew.
A little help: Rapid KL bus driver Pahamib
Sarahing
helping V. Munusamy alight from the bus.
Our drivers will be trained to assist the disabled passengers,
deaf and also the blind when they board the bus, she said.
At present there are buses operating on the trunk and city routes
for able bodied passengers as well as the disabled.
Chew said the disabled should begin using the services only after
the launch in June as all bus drivers would have been properly
trained by then.
