Public transport needs to be more disabled-friendly: Ong

Published: Monday April 13, 2009 MYT 2:20:00 PM

Public transport needs to be more disabled-friendly: Ong
By NG SI HOOI

KUALA LUMPUR: Public transport needs to be more disabled-friendly and moves are being made to improve facilities, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

“We are aware that a lot of facilities do not take into consideration their needs.

“In the fourth quarter of last year, I instructed several agencies under my ministry to take into account of the needs of the physically challenged individual especially in public transport,” he told reporters after opening the KKAJ Vocational Centre for the Disabled in Bandar Baru Ampang here Monday.

Ong, who is the patron of the centre, said he had instructed the agencies to speed up the process and make this their main challenge.

“I know it is not easy and there are lots of obstacles. We must endeavour to overcome the challenges,” he said.

Ong said he had come across cases where physically-challenged individuals had struggled to get on public transport.

“This renders them less mobile. I do not think it is fair,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Ong said physically-challenged individuals needed assistance but not in the form of welfare.

“They need help in the form of training opportunities, to excel in life and to compete with others.

“These are the key parameterd that we should set our sight on,” he said.

The KKAJ Vocational Centre for the Disabled is set up by Resorts World Bhd and Kelab Kercergasan Ampang Jaya to give disabled-people a chance to learn skills and generate income for themselves.

The centre will provide training and facilities such as paper lamination, document binding and food packaging.