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Have you seen this new vehicle on the road?

Yes indeed, this is the new fleet of bus models presented by SBS Transit. It does really look pleasing both in the interior and the exterior.

However, do you know what’s the special traits of this bus that other models of such doesn’t posses?

Bingo! This is a wheelchair-accessible bus. Meaning that they are slightly wider than most other buses in Singapore, also they have a nice position at the standing area for the wheelchair-bounded. There is also a special bell built just for them.

So, how many of you out there have truly seen someone in a wheelchair board such buses. Let me share my experience.

I was at YCK Bus Interchange waiting to board bus 76, there was this wheelchair bound lady also waiting to board bus service 76.

Alright, here’s the start of story..

When the bus arrived, the bus captain had to refuse entry to passengers who are boarding the bus. Just in case there are people who do not fatefully tap their EZ-Link card without someone keeping an eye on the machine.

The captain then had to open the door at the rear, and manually deploy the ramp that enables the captain to wheel her up the bus. After that, the captain will situate her comfortably in a nice and safe position in the designated area.

Then the captain had to assemble back the ramp and allow entry to the other passengers. The whole process takes about 1-2mins.

Thats for the entry part. When the lady wanted to alight, she would press the “special” bell, which sounds different from the norm.

Upon stopping, the captain would then repeat the whole process again. Refuse entry, deploy the ramp…

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This whole thing might not seem as good as it is deemed to be.

Firstly, if its the peak hour. The number of passengers on the bus would be high, which makes it difficult for the bulky wheelchair to maneuver around.

Secondly, the time taken for the whole process. Imagine you are rushing for time. I bet you would curse and swear.

Thirdly, due to space constrains, it only allows 1 wheelchair.

What i think of this is that, the biggest barrier for these physically handicapped people would be that they think of themselves as a burden to the society. Even with the new arrangements, they might still feel ostracized.

I guess its all about being considerate and tolerant to the people around us. In order to make Singapore a more gracious society, these are the efforts that we have to put in to make things come true. Maybe we should have more people like Sebastian and Poh Boon around.

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