Monday May 30, 2011

Public transport upgraded to be more disabled-friendly

KUALA LUMPUR: In its ongoing effort to improve commuting via public transportation in the city, the government has made several upgrades to existing public transport services to facilitate the disabled as part of its efforts to increase public transport ridership under the GTP’s Urban Public Transport (UPT) NKRA.

There are now 100 public buses that have been upgraded to provide better accessibility for the disabled community.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said 19 KTM Komuter train stops were also equipped with disabled-friendly features last December. All 25 Ampang Line LRT stations are currently in the process of installing disabled-friendly features including lifts and ramps and is expected to be ready by the end of 2011.

In addition, she said the Road Transport Department would also introduce a disabled-friendly bus design guideline for bus operators.

She said the Government must prioritise public transport accessibility in its aspiration to become a barrier-free and developed nation.

Shahrizat said it was the government’s ultimate intention to ensure all public transportation hubs were disabled-friendly.