1) No. I don't think seats should be sacrificed for the WAB.
There are more needy people who need the seats than the wheelchair
bound. Eg old folks, pregnant women, parents with small kids. To
sacrifice the additional space for other needy people to serve the
handicapped is not worth it.
2) I don't think there's a lot of be done.
3) The WABs are adequate enough.
4) No. Although I don't deny that there are wheelchair bound and
handicapped members in our society, and it's a good effort not to
stigmatise them because of their disability and to integrate them
into normalcy (e.g. being able to use public transport) and
society, I feel it would not be fair to the able bodied bus
commuters who are rushing for time during peak hours that the
travelling time increases (I hope I don't seem too
heartless...please don't flame me). I believe it would be costly to
refit buses just for the convenience of a 'minority' group of
people, and we aren't even sure if the facilities would be fully
utilised. Why 'penalise' the majority?
I think the WABs are mainly cosmetic in nature in an attempt to
showcase ourselves as moving towards a more gracious and accepting
society. But if your trip is being delayed due to a wheelchair
bound person, and you are already feeling impatient, how gracious
could one get? One could end up being disgruntled and pissed, and
some will probably be cussing & swearing at the poor disabled
fella in silence.
Well...to conclude, good attempt to try to build a gracious
society. But then again are Singaporeans innately gracious? Or has
a fast paced and meritocratic environment changed our hearts &
character? Rather, education from young would be better.
If there's anything that really needs to be done, it should be
about helping the wheelchair bound with their own private
transport...making vehicles affordable to them. I think that would
be a better solution altogether.
