Enhancing Accessibility ( MRT, Bus, Pedestrian Facilities)

As part of our people-centred land transport system, we have to provide for the diverse needs of our society and contribute to a quality, livable environment. In line with social and demographic changes to our society, we will put in place initiatives to provide better access for diverse groups such as the elderly, wheelchair users and families with young children. 


MRT

Since 2006, barrier-free facilities to assist the elderly and disabled have been made available within all MRT stations. Each of our existing MRT stations now have, at the cost of $81.5 million, at least one barrier-free entrance with a lift, a tactile guidance system and wheelchair-accessible toilets. 

Going forward, there will be a barrier-free access (BFA) route within 400m of all MRT stations. LTA will implement at least 2 BFA routes at 70% of MRT stations by 2011. Additional lifts and ramps will be provided at MRT stations such as Boon Keng, Toa Payoh and Queenstown, where station entrances are far apart or separated by a major road. This is so that our elderly and wheelchair users can avoid making long detours to reach the entrance that has a lift.

Bus

From 2006, all new public buses registered in Singapore have to be wheelchair-accessible. These buses will be introduced progressively to replace the existing fleet of buses. By 2010, 40% of public bus fleet will be low-floor and wheelchair-accessible and the intent is for this figure to reach 100% by 2020. 

Pedestrian facilities 

Barrier-free measures on roads and road-related facilities would be implemented to make it easier for the less mobile, including the wheel-chair bound, to move about on the public streets and to use the public transport system. By end 2010, LTA would have completed a $60 million islandwide programme to make pedestrian linkways, taxi and bus shelters, along public roads barrier-free.

LTA will also provide shelter to more pedestrian linkways and pedestrian overhead bridges. By 2010, 86 per cent of existing pedestrian overhead bridges will be provided with overhead shelters.

 In addition, a pilot implementation where CEPAS card technology is harnessed to lengthen the timing for the ‘green man’ for the elderly at selected signalised pedestrian crossings which are near healthcare facilities and transport nodes was launched in October 2009. 

References: http://app.mot.gov.sg/Land_Transport/Meeting_Diverse_Needs/Enhancing_Accessibility.aspx