Public transport blues

Monday, August 25, 2008

The Malay Mail

Public transport blues Physically challenged P.Santakumari, 49 years old and wheelchair- bound, loves Malaysia but strongly feels that something has to be done about the disabled-unfriendly environment.

"It is very difficult for me to travel on my own. I need someone to help me move around every time I go out," she said.

"The bus ramps are too steep for me to go up on my own. It is very frustrating to take public transport in Kuala Lumpur."

She also feels that there is need for the public to be educated about disabled people. "They are impatient and inconsiderate of our situation and the daily struggles we have to face."

Santakumari hopes that the government will make buses accessible and make all public transport free for the physically challenged.

A disabled person from Rawang, who only wants to be known as Premila, also took KTM Komuter to task.

"The train service has only got worse since I first started using it six years ago,"she said.

"There are more people using the train now, especially after the increase in petrol price, but the number of coaches has not increased."