Recently a relative of mine suffered a stroke and became wheelchair bound. Though I thought driving him around would be ideal, I discovered that riding the bus was now a better option for some routes. Our bus-stops and buses are wheelchair friendly, and the bus captains we met promptly got up from their seats to assist with the wheelchair platform. Such infrastructure and last-mile considerations go a long way to make travel accessible to the wheelchair-bound.
That said, mobility limitations come in a wide range. Besides those on wheelchairs, there are many others who use walking sticks or other aids. These commuters are often unable to navigate stairs. To what extent is our system barrier-free for them?
Take for instance the layout of some new electric buses. Increasingly, bus models appear to be designed to maximise standing room and space for wheelchairs and prams. This results in a reduction in the number of seats available. In some buses, the front half of the bus only has four seats, with all the remaining seats located at the rear of the bus at an elevated level, requiring the commuter to climb up a rather steep step. This has caused difficulty to many commuters who can walk but cannot climb stairs. Could the Ministry review how the layout of buses can better cater to commuters with such mobility issues?
Another persistent issue is the lack of lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges. This is an issue across the island and it is also the case for my residents at the Paya Lebar Division of Aljunied GRC.
In February 2023 I asked a Parliamentary Question about when lifts would be installed at overhead bridges along Hougang Avenue 3. Then Transport Minister, Mr S Iswaran, affirmed that the number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges would be a consideration for prioritisation. He further confirmed that four of the bridges along Hougang Avenue 3 would be prioritised.
Two years later, in April 2025, I filed another Question for confirmation of the bridges that would be prioritised and what the timeline for installation of the lifts would be. The next incumbent Transport Minister, Mr Chee Hong Tat, identified the overhead bridges at Blocks 101, 172, 241 and 248 as the four being prioritised. He stated that construction works for that phase of LTA’s retrofitting works were scheduled to take place progressively from the fourth quarter of 2025.
Based on the latest indications from LTA’s consultants to our Town Council, the lift works will only commence tentatively in the third quarter of 2027. This is nearly two years after the fourth quarter of 2025 that Minister Chee indicated for commencement of that phase of construction works. Why is there such a long delay?
I hope to have a more satisfactory answer from the new Minister in charge!
