Rapid Penang – Page 6 – Peter Tan

Dato’ Dr. Teng Hock Nan’s Unfounded Statements About Accessible Buses

Peter Tan speaking at the Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged Group

Photo by Wuan.

Basically, my presentation at the Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged Groups was to debunk the baseless arguments perpetrated by RapidKL CEO Rein Westra and Penang State Traffic Management Committee Chairman Dato’ Dr. Teng Hock Nan on accessible public transport with regards to wheelchair users.

First fallacy
The roads in Penang are said to be bumpy and are not suitable for non-step buses. It is ironic that we can build one of the best highway network in Asia but we cannot even construct proper roads in the cities. But that is beside the point. This was the same excuse given by RapidKL CEO Rein Westra when BEAT met him in October 20, 2006 which was minuted as follows:

“Christine then asked what would prevent Rapid KL from buying non-step buses from now on. Westra explained that low floor non-step buses were too low to drive on KL roads…..”

Now we have 100 low floor non-step buses all over the Klang Valley. The road condition in the KL is still the same in October last year and now.

Second fallacy
Newspaper report quoted Dr. Teng as saying that:

“The state government will bring in buses equipped with facilities for wheelchair passengers once the new RapidPenang bus system is running smoothly.”
(The Star – April 26, 2007: Buses for disabled later)

How long will it take before the RapidPenang bus system can run smoothly? Six months? One year? Two years? RapidKL has been in operation since 2004 but the system is still far from perfect. What if the bus system is still not running smoothly after ten years?

If you ask bus users in KL, many will tell you that RapidKL is not running smoothly. If you ask RapidKL, they will admit that their bus schedule is still not perfect. RapidKL buses are supposed to run every 15 minutes during peak periods. A lot of times, the interval between buses are between 30 to 45 minutes.

Nevertheless, come June 1, RapidKL will be launching 100 accessible buses in the Klang Valley. Is there anything that RapidKL can do that RapidPenang cannot do? If RapidKL can use accessible buses that includes the needs of disabled persons when their service is still not running smoothly, whey can’t RapidPenang do the same?

Third fallacy
In the same newspaper report, Dr. Teng was also quoted saying as follows:

“…buses with facilities for wheelchair passengers would have to stop longer for boarding and could disrupt arrival schedules.”
(The Star – April 26, 2007: Buses for disabled later)

Accessible buses have come long way from the early days when lifts were fitted to get wheelchairs into high-platform buses. Boarding a passenger on wheelchair with the lift can take up to five minutes. The advancement in bus building technology and design has brought about the proliferation of non-step buses where unassisted boarding time for a wheelchair user was considerably reduced to less than one minute. On May 17, Christine timed herself boarding one of RapidKL’s accessible buses. It took her less than one minute to get into the bus. A well-trained driver can do a four-point strap tiedown in less than one minute. Is a two-minute delay too much? Is it even considered a delay?

Bus schedules can be disrupted by many other factors including weather and traffic conditions, drivers slowing down to have a good look at the number plate of cars involved in accidents so that they can go buy 4D later, buses breaking down and passengers digging their purse for loose change, parents with 5 kids in tow and senior citizens who have mobility problems. Picking up passengers will also delay bus schedules. Wheelchairs users should not be blamed for delays that can be caused by so many of these factors.

To put the blame of bus delays solely on wheelchair users is akin to blaming wheelchair users for slowing down the progress of our country. There is such a thing called reasonable accommodation where if it does not cause undue hardship to others, it should be provided. Is a 2-minute delay considered undue hardship? Many of us have experienced traffic jams that delay our journeys by 30 minutes or more. Who should we blame for the traffic jams?

Fourth Fallacy
Again, I am going to quote Mr. Rein Westra who said he “did not have time to find out what different users needed from buses” because when he took up the position as CEO of RapidKL in 2004, he only had 2 weeks to decide on the type of buses to get. Fair enough.

There is no reason now after so many months of being educated on the needs of disabled persons and wheelchair users, why RapidPenang, which is a subsidiary of RapidKL and shares the same management and technical expertise, is still making the same mistakes that RapidKL made. Looks like bus operators pun mudah lupa. Looks like we have a lot of people who do not know what they are talking about in positions of power.

Public transport must be for all, not only for people who can walk. In fact, disabled persons need transport even more as many of us cannot afford other modes of transport such as taxis. I just got my driving license but given a choice, I would prefer public transport over driving the reason being that I need to transfer into the car and need someone to store my wheelchair in the boot and reverse the process when I reach my destination. With an accessible public transport, I do not need to get off my wheelchair to go anywhere. An accessible public transport is even more crucial for persons with severe physical impairments as they cannot be easily transferred without the assistance of two or more carers. Do we have a government that cares enough to resolve this problem? Sometimes I wonder if we even have a government that cares.

Press Release – Barrier-Free Transport Is For All

PRESS RELEASE, PENANG, 20 MAY 2007

BARRIER-FREE TRANSPORT IS TRANSPORT FOR ALL

On Saturday, a major Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged Groups was held at the Complex Masyarakat Penyayang, organised by 10 Penang-based NGOs and with the participation of national speakers and opened by Dr Teng Hock Nan. The 100 participants, from a wide range of disability-related organisations and CEPAT (Citizens for Public Transport), re-affirmed their commitment to Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport for all.

Participants from the forum were pleased to read a statement in Saturday’s Star from State Executive Councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, that “Even if the headcount is very low, RapidPenang will still service the routes.” Clearly the right to public transport is the only consideration. Given this, we were shocked to read in Sunday Star that people using wheelchairs will not have accessible transport as a right, and that RapidPenang does not intend to introduce wheelchair accessible buses at this time. Dr Teng’s statements are confusing, contradictory and discriminatory: the headcount is clearly irrelevant for all Penang citizens, but used as sole criteria for access to transport for people with disabilities.

We find it outrageous that buses have been purchased which accommodate the needs of the elderly, pregnant women and children, and we are surprised that they need “special seats.” To our knowledge, while priority seats may be identified for people from these categories, they are not especially constructed. At the same time, Dr Teng stated that people with disabilities must wait for a survey before barrier-free transport is introduced. This is a delaying tactic. Forty NGOs in Penang have already made it clear that there is a need, and this is reflected in the Memorandum submitted to Dr Teng at yesterday’s forum.

Even more extraordinary is the statement that Singapore’s transport policy is to be emulated. It took Singapore 20 years to introduce barrier-free buses on 6 routes. It took Rapid KL 8 months to purchase 100 buses to cover 63 trunk routes and 10 city shuttle routes, with more to come. Perhaps Penang should look to KL rather than Singapore.

Although Dr Teng opened the forum, he obviously treated the views of its participants with disdain. People with disabilities have never had access to transport, and have always been deprived of the freedom of movement and opportunities to participate in society and to contribute to the nation.

This press statement is issued for immediate release by Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) Coordinator Christine Lee and Assistant Coordinator Peter Tan who were also speakers at the Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged Group.

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

Peter Tan presenting to Dato’ Dr. Teng Hock Nan the Memorandum
Regarding Accessible Public Transport for Disabled Persons.
Photo by Wuan.

To: YB Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan, Penang State Traffic Management Committee Chairman

From: NGOs In Penang Together With A Coalition Of 18 NGOs Under The Barrier-free Environment And Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) And Individuals

Subject: Memorandum Regarding Accessible Buses For Disabled Persons

Date: May 19, 2007

This memorandum is prepared by Peter Tan

Introduction
Mobility is one of the most crucial factors in mainstreaming disabled persons into society. It contributes to their dignity and to their standard of living. It is linked to general environmental accessibility. There should not be discrimination against disabled persons in the provision of public transportation services, and there should be specific measures to enable them to move freely and access the workplace and other public places.

Generally, public transport in Malaysia, specifically buses, are not accessible to disabled persons using wheelchairs and do not have such facilities to make it convenient for blind persons and deaf persons to utilise this service conveniently.

This inaccessibility has marginalised disabled persons and those with mobility impairments. Disabled persons are unable to attend formal education in schools. Those who possess qualifications are unable to find gainful employment. They are unable to move around conveniently and therefore are not only deprived from benefiting from the progress of the nation but are also unable to contribute meaningfully to the country.

Without accessible public transport, performing basic but crucial routines that non-disabled persons take for granted are beyond the means of disabled persons. They will be unable to go to banks, post offices and government offices, and shop for groceries. The lack of an accessible public transport which is the most affordable option of mobility will affect disabled persons who are poor even more as they are unable to find alternative transport thereby marginalising them further.

The Issue
The Federal Government had allocated RM50 million for the purchase of 150 new buses by RapidPenang. This was good news to the people of Penang who had to endure the pathetic state of public transport in the island for many years now. The disabled community was even more pleased to hear that the buses would be “disabled friendly” as announced by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. Subsequently disabled persons in Penang and Malaysia were disappointed by news report that RapidPenang buses will not be accessible to wheelchair users and that boarding wheelchair users will delay the arrival schedule of the buses.

Disabled persons as citizens of Malaysia have the right to benefit from equal access to services and opportunities. Without accessible public transport, disabled persons have few opportunities to access other crucial services such as health care and education.

Even the Federal Government is concerned with this issue. On March 12, 2007, Minister of Transport Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy announced the formation of a high-level committee chaired by Deputy Secretary-General (Planning) Datuk Long See Wool. This committee will comprise of disabled persons, government agencies and major transport operators to ensure that the public transportation system in Malaysia is accessible to all.

As such, we the signatories of this memorandum call on the Penang State Government, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad and RapidPenang to :-

ï¿½ Recognise that disabled persons are consumers who have the right to the same services as others
ï¿½ Take immediate steps to incorporate the needs of disabled persons in all planning and decision making
ï¿½ Ensure that all buses are non-step buses to allow easy access to all persons
ï¿½ Work with the local authorities to ensure that all bus stops be made accessible to benefit all persons
ï¿½ Consult and involve disabled persons in all policies affecting them
ï¿½ Make known the Short Term and Long Term Action Plans with specific time frames and goals ( e.g. 5 Year Action Plan, 10 Year Action Plan ) to achieve 100 % barrier free buses for all within the set time frame

Below, we outline the essential points we want included to make public buses accessible to all:

Basic principles
ï¿½ People require access to transport in all parts of Penang to participate in economical, educational, social, cultural, religious and political activities
ï¿½ The vast majority of disabled persons live throughout the island and the mainland
ï¿½ Public transport must be accessible to all, not only to people who can walk

Bus stations and bus stops
Accessibility:
ï¿½ All bus stations and bus stops shall be accessible to all persons including disabled persons
ï¿½ Walkways leading to bus stations and bus stops shall be accessible
Safety
ï¿½ Pedestrian crossings shall be provided in the vicinity of bus stations and bus stops, and shall be accessible and appropriately indicated with signs
ï¿½ Shelters shall be provided at all bus stops
ï¿½ All bus stops shall have sufficient lighting to ensure safety for all commuters
Signage
ï¿½ Signs shall be clear, visible and easily read by people with low vision and people with learning disabilities
ï¿½ Bus timetables shall be provided in large print, and at a level to ensure that all people can read the information
ï¿½ At bus stops used by buses for several routes, buses shall use fixed stops so that people, especially the visually impaired and those with wheelchairs, can queue in advance at the correct stop
ï¿½ At large bus stops, approaching buses shall be announced by number and destination, both audibly and visually
ï¿½ Changes and delays in bus arrival and departure times, including information of number and destination, shall be displayed by audio and visual means
Toilets
ï¿½ Bus stations shall have accessible toilets

Buses
External signs
ï¿½ Buses shall be prominently labeled with the international symbol of accessibility
Accessibility
ï¿½ Buses shall be of the non-step type, with ramps to allow easy access
ï¿½ Ramps shall be made of strong, durable material, and be designed to ensure their safe use for both manual and electric wheelchairs
ï¿½ Ramps shall not be designed in ways that obstruct the casters (small front wheels)
ï¿½ Ramps shall have a maximum gradient of no more than 1:12 to ensure safe and convenient access and exit for wheelchairs
ï¿½ Doors shall be wide enough for manual and electric wheelchairs

Inside buses
ï¿½ There shall be sufficient space inside buses to ensure full maneuverability of manual and electric wheelchairs
ï¿½ There shall be sufficient space to park wheelchairs inside the bus
ï¿½ Priority seats shall be clearly labeled

Safety
ï¿½ There shall be a four-point strap-type tie-down to secure wheelchairs and a restraining system for wheelchair occupants

Communication
ï¿½ Bells or buzzers shall be positioned at a level to enable their use by a person in a wheelchair
ï¿½ Bells and buzzers shall be placed in the same position in all buses for the convenience of people with vision impairment
ï¿½ Bells and buzzers shall be lit for people with hearing impairment
ï¿½ Approaching bus stops shall always be announced clearly
ï¿½ Approaching bus stops shall be visually displayed.

Driver responsibilities and training
ï¿½ Drivers shall insist that people move to make space to allow people in wheelchairs to move into position and to secure wheelchairs
ï¿½ Drivers shall not move the bus until they are assured that the wheelchair is secured
ï¿½ Drivers shall ensure that people with vision impairment, pregnant women, the elderly, and others with special needs have the opportunity to be seated
ï¿½ Buses shall carry first-aid kits
ï¿½ Drivers shall be trained to use first aid kits
ï¿½ Drivers shall be trained to provide appropriate assistance to people with visual impairments and physical impairments, or require assistance in other ways
ï¿½ Proper training of drivers shall be provided with the involvement of disabled persons

This is by no means an exhaustive list. We not only want accessible buses but we also want such facilities to be safe. One point that we want to highlight is that accessible buses can be used by all, but non-accessible buses can only be used by a certain segment of society and deprive those with mobility impairments from using it.

There is no excuse not to make public transport that serves all persons. As Malaysia strives to be a developed nation by 2020, we inevitably have to ensure that our standard of living will be on par with, or better than, those currently enjoyed in developed nations.

RapidKL will be launching accessible bus service in June 1, 2007. There is no reason why RapidPenang cannot do the same. Whatever excuses to not include the needs of everyone in this new bus network is unacceptable and infringes on the rights of disabled persons to accessible public transport.

Fifty years after the Nation’s independence, disabled persons still cannot move around freely not through the fault of their impairments but because policymakers do not have the foresight and sensitivity to make public amenities inclusive and accessible to all.

Conclusion
The needs of disabled persons such as ramps, suitable toilets and access to public transport should not be viewed as extra facilities requiring extra costs to construct. It is not a privilege to be given as and when the government deems necessary. Such basic amenities are the fundamental rights of disabled persons. It allows them equal opportunity to live life just like non-disabled citizens have the right to a safe and comfortable environment to live in.

Disabled persons must be included in mainstream society. We are the public. We are one of you. We are you. Nevertheless, we have been left far behind for the past fifty years. The government now has the opportunity, resources and knowledge to help bridge this gap. This opportunity must be made full use of to include the needs of everyone, including disabled persons. It is the only the right thing to do. What is a few minutes delay in bus schedule to other passengers when disabled persons have waited patiently for fifty years for an accessible public transport system that they can use?

With this we trust we have explained clearly why an accessible public transport system is so crucial to disabled persons, especially wheelchair users. We also trust that you will do the right thing by ensuring that the 150 buses that will be put into service in Penang on August 1, 2007 are fully accessible for all.

This memorandum is endorsed by the following organisations and individuals as listed below:

1. Asia Community Service
2. Autistic Support Association of Penang (ASAP)
3. Citizens for Public Transport Penang (CEPAT)
4. Eden Handicapped Service Centre
5. Society of the Disabled Persons Penang (SDPP)
6. Spastic (Cerebral Palsy) Children’s Association of Penang
7. St. Nicholas Home for the Blind
8. Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
9. Ex-Nicolite Association, Penang
10. Sustainable Independent Living and Access (SILA), Penang
11. Penangwatch
12. Bus Users Group
13. SOS (Save Ourselves)
14. Citizens International
15. Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation
16. Persatuan Damai Orang-Orang Kurang Upaya Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
17. Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled
18. Malaysian Spinal Injuries Association
19. Persatuan Mobiliti Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
20. Persatuan Orang-Orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia
21. Society of the Blind in Malaysia
22. Malaysian Association for the Blind
23. Society of the Chinese Disabled Persons Malaysia
24. Persatuan Kristian Shuang Fu untuk orang Kurang Upaya Kuala Lumpur
25. Persatuan Pemulihan Orang Cacat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
26. Selangor Cheshire Home
27. Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities
28. Dignity & Services
29. United Voice (Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities Selangor & Kuala Lumpur)
30. Selangor Council for Welfare and Social Development
31. Majlis Paralimpik Malaysia
32. Lovely Disabled Home
33. Christine Lee Soon Kup
34. Naziaty Mohd. Yaacob
35. Peter Tan Hua Choon
36. Tan Kuan Aw
37. Loh Khang Cheow
38. Anne Lim
39. Derrick Cheah
40. Thomas Teh

The following NGOs and individuals have also endorsed the memorandum but their names were not included in the final document due to unavoidable circumstances:

41. Aliran
42. William G Brohier
43. Tan Chin Chin