Working towards wheelchair spaces on all trains on older lines

Working towards wheelchair spaces on all trains on older lines

We thank Madam Tan Lay Khim for her feedback ("Urgent need for more wheelchair spaces on trains"; Monday).

More than 70 per cent of the trains serving the North-South and East-West lines have two designated wheelchair spaces near the centre of the train. These spaces are for the convenience of wheelchair users as lifts are located near the middle of the train.

We have noted that parents with prams are also using these spaces, and we encourage commuters to give priority to wheelchair users.

We are working towards equipping all North-South and East-West line trains with wheelchair spaces as they go through their upgrading programmes. All trains on the newer Circle Line have two clearly designated wheelchair spaces in the middle car.

To facilitate wheelchair accessibility, commuters can enter MRT stations via an entrance near a taxi stand or vehicle drop-off point, and a lift leading to the concourse and then to the platform by following a well-marked trail. This is complemented by wider fare gates for wheelchair users.

SMRT will continue to work with the Land Transport Authority to improve wheelchair access to MRT stations along the older North-South and East-West lines.

A good example is the much-improved Ang Mo Kio station, which has been upgraded with facilities like ramps to improve wheelchair accessibility.

Besides these improvements to infrastructure, we are also committed to service excellence. We encourage wheelchair users to approach our station staff for help. Staff will look after the safety and comfort of commuters who need assistance, and help them with their journeys.

We remind commuters about the right journey etiquette, which includes responsible use of wheelchair spaces. While these spaces may be clearly marked, it is positive commuter behaviour that will make the critical difference.

Patrick Nathan

Vice-President

Corporate Information and Communications

SMRT Corporation


This article was first published on Oct 24, 2014.
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