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The Star – May 20, 2007: Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound

May 20th, 2007 - Sunday

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Sunday May 20, 2007

Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound

PENANG: A survey on the needs of the wheelchair-bound will be conducted before RapidPenang can introduce disabled-friendly buses for them.

Making public transportation accessible for the wheelchair-bound could not be done overnight, state Local Government and Traffic Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said.

“We must first identify the main areas where wheelchair-bound passengers live and the places they normally travel to.

“It is not as simple as buying wheelchair-friendly buses which are costly. We are buying 150 buses equipped with special seats for the elderly, pregnant women and child-ren under the first phase,” he said, adding that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could assist the state by providing such data.

Dr Teng was speaking to reporters after addressing participants of the Public Transport for Disadvantaged Groups forum at Penang Caring Society Complex yesterday.

He said that even Singapore, which was known for its efficient public transportation system, took many years to provide accessible transportation for wheelchair passengers.

“I think it took them about 20 years to achieve that. I was told that Singapore only provided buses with wheelchair facilities last year, plying only six routes initially. Now they have increased it to 10,” he said

Earlier, a memorandum on accessible buses for disabled persons was handed to Dr Teng. It was endorsed by 40 NGOs and individuals.

Related entry:
Memorandum Regarding Accessible Buses For Disabled Persons To Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan


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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2007 at 22:13 and is filed under Accessible Public Transport, Disability Issues, News, Rapid Penang. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “The Star – May 20, 2007: Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound”

  1. » Election Manifesto For The 12th General Election | Peter Tan - The Digital Awakening | says:
    21 February, 2008 at 21:05

    [...] He had said that boarding wheelchair users would delay bus schedules. He had also said that a survey has to be conducted first to determine the areas that disabled people live in and the places that [...]

  2. » The Star - May 21, 2007: Group: Survey not necessary | Peter Tan - The Digital Awakening | says:
    20 May, 2008 at 13:54

    [...] to buses Memorandum Regarding Accessible Buses For Disabled Persons To Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan The Star – May 20, 2007: Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged [...]

  3. » NST - May 20, 2007: Disabled want access to buses | Peter Tan - The Digital Awakening | says:
    20 May, 2008 at 14:00

    [...] entry: Memorandum Regarding Accessible Buses For Disabled Persons To Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan The Star – May 20, 2007: Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged [...]