Is ours a government that cares for the wellbeing of all citizens? I am convinced that they are not. Look at RapidPenang, a 100% government owned company. None of the newly launched RapidPenang buses are accessible. Wheelchair users are left high and dry again.
That was despite several assurances by the top management of RapidKL to the Barrier-Free Environment Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) and the announcement by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop in the press on March 18, 2007 that RapidPenang’s buses will be “disabled friendly.” Contrary to that none of the buses are “disabled friendly.”
These new buses could be running on the streets of Penang for the next 10 to 15 years. Do disabled persons in Penang have to wait for that long with the hope that the replacement buses will be accessible? Ours is a government that does not make sense. Why continue buying buses that not everyone can use when they are already aware that widely available non-step buses will benefit everyone?
As a wheelchair user who is in dire need of an accessible public transport to move around conveniently and independently, I express my absolute disappointment at the empty promises made by the government and the folks at RapidKL. Ours is a government that does not keep to its words. When the government or its agents make promises but do not fulfil them, is that considered lying? Convince me they are not.
Peter, do let me know when you are planning to do a demo…i will be there to support your cause.
Peter:
Thank you for your support. Disabled people in Penang definitely should show their dissatisfaction to this form of discrimination. Too bad I am not in Penang now.
Could it be that the ‘disabled friendly’ buses have not been delivered yet? Nevertheless, I do agree, in addition to this, many of the bus stops also do not have ramps, making it hard to get onto them on the wheel chairs.
Peter:
RapidPenang should have made its entire fleet of buses accessible from day one. There is no excuse not to do so.
Yes… it is sad isn’t it… with crappy leaders in Penang…who else can we turn to ??? Hmm, Peter ?
Mai ki hong… I joking nia…hopefully one day you will come back and champion this cause for Penang kia
Peter:
One disabled association in Penang rejected my membership application recently wor. You say how like that?