Integrating The Wheelchair Bound

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Since 2006, the Singapore Bus Service has rolled out a 17 year plan to replace all existing buses with wheelchair accessible ones. The first batch of 150 buses was introduced on bus routes serving welfare organizations which the wheelchair bound frequently visit.

The buses are double-decker and fully air-conditioned, with a dedicated corner for the wheelchair bound. There is also a dedicated bell for the wheelchair bound, lowered so that they can reach without help from others. Most importantly, all wheelchair accessible buses have a manual flip-out ramp at both doors for wheelchairs to board with much ease. Manual ramps are easy to repair and chances of these ramps malfunctioning are low, benefiting the wheelchair users ultimately.

The platform of the bus is also step-less and broadened to allow convenient maneuvering of the wheelchair. Bus captains are obliged to help with the boarding and alighting of the wheelchair bound passenger

In 2002, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore started to construct lifts in every train station and in new stations under construction. There will be at least one lift serving at least one exit in every station. With lifts, the wheelchair bound will have no problem getting into train stations which are either above ground or underground. Ramps are also installed around the stations to facilitate easy movement for the wheelchair bound. Another major improvement is the conversion of one ticket gate to one which is wide enough for wheelchair to pass through. The tap-pad for the EZ-link card (the card which machines deduct fares from for transport fares) is smartly lowered to cater for the wheelchair bound.

Lifts catering to wheelchair users in MRT stations.

Space allocated in MRT carriage for wheelchair users.

On newer transit trains, there is a designated area for wheelchairs in every carriage. Labeled with wheelchair signs, it is obligatory for other passengers to vacate that area for the wheelchair bound.

Maxi Cabs are similar to London cabs, boosting extra space for a wheelchair and passengers to sit in. Though big on space, a round trip on a maxi cab cost about S$50 (US$31). That’s quite a sum for one round trip.