PUBLIC transport operator SMRT will roll out its first wheelchair accessible bus services from Monday.

The seven services, some of which call at various hospitals and polyclinics, will make it easier for wheelchair-bound passengers to meet their medical appointments.

The services are: 171, 172, 189, 307, 811, 851 and 945.

Every one in two buses on these routes will be wheelchair-friendly. Such buses are equipped with low floor boards and ramps at the doors.

Each bus can take up to two wheelchair-bound passengers.

SMRT said it has carried out modifications at the three bus interchanges that the seven services start from to enable wheelchair-bound passengers to board the buses.

The Yishun, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok bus interchanges are now equipped with special boarding berths, ramps and railings.

Direction signs pointing to the berths have also been put up.

SMRT Buses' vice-president Kang Huey Ling said bus drivers have been trained to help wheelchair-bound commuters.

SMRT, which owns 67 wheelchair- friendly buses, said it will purchase a further 66 and roll out more wheelchair-accessible services by year-end.

SBS Transit, which runs the majority of bus services, already has 22 wheelchair accessible services. It launched its first in 2006.

For a bus service to be considered wheelchair-accessible, 80 per cent of the bus stops along its route must be wheelchair-friendly.

For example, the bus stop should not have steps and there must be enough space to accommodate a wheelchair.

Wheelchair-bound commuters have said that while buses and trains have become more wheelchair-friendly, existing infrastructure on the road is still lagging behind.

To tackle this, the Government is spending $60 million to make all bus stops, roads and pedestrian walkways barrier-free by next year.

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