<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>SBS looks into lower fares for the disabled
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Concession rates likely to benefit 4% of the people here </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent
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Singapore Disabled People's Association secretary Judy Wee, 48, is looking forward to lower transport costs. -- ST FILE PHOTO
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->BUS operator SBS Transit is looking into offering concession fares to commuters with physical disabilities.
It is considering doing this on its buses first, and on its trains later.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story --><STYLE type=text/css> #related .quote {background-color:#E7F7FF; padding:8px;margin:0px 0px 5px 0px;} #related .quote .headline {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10px;font-weight:bold; border-bottom:3px double #007BFF; color:#036; text-transform:uppercase; padding-bottom:5px;} #related .quote .text {font-size:11px;color:#036;padding:5px 0px;} </STYLE>RIGHT MOVE
'It shows compassion, especially during these difficult times. I hope it will inspire the other operators to do so too.'
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The company, part of transport giant ComfortDelGro, would say only that it was 'exploring the possibility' when queried by The Straits Times yesterday.
If the idea pans out, it will be the first such assistance scheme here, although such concessions are common and have been in place for some time in places like Britain and Australia.
SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan, confirming that the idea is in the exploratory stage, said the company will work out the mechanics of it with the authorities and welfare services.
The Straits Times however understands that the plan is to offer concession fares to all those with physical disabilities, who make up close to 4 per cent of the people in Singapore.
This news follows the roll-out of wheelchair-accessible buses in 2006, after years of lobbying by disability groups.
Singapore Disabled People's Association secretary Judy Wee, 48, who uses a wheelchair, said she welcomed the prospect: 'We appreciate that they are looking into this. It will cut down on our transport costs and enable the handicapped to travel more frequently.'
She has been lobbying for years for the land transport system to be made more friendly to the handicapped.
Since 2006, much has been done. Today, SBS Transit runs about 780 wheelchair-accessible buses and rival SMRT is expected to follow next month with a first batch of 63 buses.
By next year, 40 per cent of Singapore's fleet of 3,600 public buses will be accessible to those in wheelchairs, and by 2020, all buses will be wheelchair-accessible.
The exercise will cost the Government more than $21 million.
This is in line with a national push for all-round improvements to the public transport system so that more people will use it, alleviating congestion on the roads.
MRT trains are already accessible to the wheelchair-bound and stations have tactile aids for the visually handicapped.
Work is under way on MRT stations. By 2011, seven in 10 will have lifts and barrier-free entrances. All walkways leading to these stations - and to bus stops as well - will be barrier-free eventually.
Public Transport Council president Gerard Ee lauded the planned move to offer concession fares.
'It shows compassion, especially during these difficult times,' said the past president of the National Council of Social Service. 'I hope it will inspire the other operators to do so too.'
SMRT said such a move would have to be made with transport service company TransitLink, but added no talks have been held yet.
Ms Nancy Chia, who heads the Handicaps Welfare Association, said concession fares for the handicapped are overdue: 'If the elderly, school children and NSmen can have concessions, why not the handicapped? These are generally lower-income people who rely on public transport.'
Meanwhile, an advocacy group which calls itself Challengeds' Alliance Network is petitioning the Ministry of Transport for concession fares or free travel on public transport.
The petition was started by telemarketeer Rethinasamy Rajasvari, 50, who is blind in one eye. Signatures will be collected at a gathering at Hong Lim Park at 5pm tomorrow.
Asked for her reaction to SBS Transit's planned move, she said: 'It'd be wonderful if they offer it.' [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Concession rates likely to benefit 4% of the people here </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Singapore Disabled People's Association secretary Judy Wee, 48, is looking forward to lower transport costs. -- ST FILE PHOTO
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->BUS operator SBS Transit is looking into offering concession fares to commuters with physical disabilities.
It is considering doing this on its buses first, and on its trains later.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story --><STYLE type=text/css> #related .quote {background-color:#E7F7FF; padding:8px;margin:0px 0px 5px 0px;} #related .quote .headline {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10px;font-weight:bold; border-bottom:3px double #007BFF; color:#036; text-transform:uppercase; padding-bottom:5px;} #related .quote .text {font-size:11px;color:#036;padding:5px 0px;} </STYLE>RIGHT MOVE
'It shows compassion, especially during these difficult times. I hope it will inspire the other operators to do so too.'
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The company, part of transport giant ComfortDelGro, would say only that it was 'exploring the possibility' when queried by The Straits Times yesterday.
If the idea pans out, it will be the first such assistance scheme here, although such concessions are common and have been in place for some time in places like Britain and Australia.
SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan, confirming that the idea is in the exploratory stage, said the company will work out the mechanics of it with the authorities and welfare services.
The Straits Times however understands that the plan is to offer concession fares to all those with physical disabilities, who make up close to 4 per cent of the people in Singapore.
This news follows the roll-out of wheelchair-accessible buses in 2006, after years of lobbying by disability groups.
Singapore Disabled People's Association secretary Judy Wee, 48, who uses a wheelchair, said she welcomed the prospect: 'We appreciate that they are looking into this. It will cut down on our transport costs and enable the handicapped to travel more frequently.'
She has been lobbying for years for the land transport system to be made more friendly to the handicapped.
Since 2006, much has been done. Today, SBS Transit runs about 780 wheelchair-accessible buses and rival SMRT is expected to follow next month with a first batch of 63 buses.
By next year, 40 per cent of Singapore's fleet of 3,600 public buses will be accessible to those in wheelchairs, and by 2020, all buses will be wheelchair-accessible.
The exercise will cost the Government more than $21 million.
This is in line with a national push for all-round improvements to the public transport system so that more people will use it, alleviating congestion on the roads.
MRT trains are already accessible to the wheelchair-bound and stations have tactile aids for the visually handicapped.
Work is under way on MRT stations. By 2011, seven in 10 will have lifts and barrier-free entrances. All walkways leading to these stations - and to bus stops as well - will be barrier-free eventually.
Public Transport Council president Gerard Ee lauded the planned move to offer concession fares.
'It shows compassion, especially during these difficult times,' said the past president of the National Council of Social Service. 'I hope it will inspire the other operators to do so too.'
SMRT said such a move would have to be made with transport service company TransitLink, but added no talks have been held yet.
Ms Nancy Chia, who heads the Handicaps Welfare Association, said concession fares for the handicapped are overdue: 'If the elderly, school children and NSmen can have concessions, why not the handicapped? These are generally lower-income people who rely on public transport.'
Meanwhile, an advocacy group which calls itself Challengeds' Alliance Network is petitioning the Ministry of Transport for concession fares or free travel on public transport.
The petition was started by telemarketeer Rethinasamy Rajasvari, 50, who is blind in one eye. Signatures will be collected at a gathering at Hong Lim Park at 5pm tomorrow.
Asked for her reaction to SBS Transit's planned move, she said: 'It'd be wonderful if they offer it.' [email protected]
