Opening Remarks by Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Mr Chee Hong Tat at the Launch of Caring Commuter Week

Colleagues from the public transport fraternity,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.     A very good morning to everyone. Thank you for joining us today for the launch of Caring Commuter Week 2024.

2.     Our public transport system is a crucial part of Singaporeans’ daily routine, moving millions around the city. It is more than just a way to get from one place to another; it is also a shared space where Singaporeans from diverse backgrounds and abilities interact with one another. 

3.     By fostering a caring community on public transport, we can turn these daily interactions into opportunities to build a more inclusive society.

Building a foundation for an inclusive public transport system

4.     Over the years, we have improved the public transport infrastructure to ensure our system is accessible to all commuters, especially for persons with disabilities.

5.     Today, all public buses and trains are wheelchair accessible, with barrier-free access routes in all train stations and bus interchanges. 98% of about 5,000 bus stops across the island are currently barrier-free, and save for a very small number with site constraints, all remaining bus stops will be barrier-free by 2025. For that very small number with site constraints, LTA and MOT colleagues will do our best to see how we can overcome these site constraints and make these bus stops also barrier-free. 

6.     We have also installed tactile ground surface indicators, Braille signages and hearing enhancement systems at newer train stations and bus interchanges to enable persons with visual or hearing impairment to get around more easily. 

7.     Most of the trains on our newer MRT lines come fitted with platform gap fillers that enable wheelchair users or personal mobility aid (PMA) users to safely board and alight trains. Older generation trains will either be retrofitted with these platform gap fillers or replaced with new trains that come with such fillers. I seek the understanding of our commuters who are using wheelchairs or PMAs for their mobility needs to give us a bit of time as we work towards addressing these areas for improvement. 

8.     Our new electric buses will also be equipped with automated ramps, which have sensors to detect obstacles and better align with the kerb for smoother deployment. These ramps will be deployed for wheelchair and PMA users. 

Rallying commuters to play their part in fostering a caring commuting culture 

9.     However, infrastructure improvements alone are not enough. For a truly inclusive commuting experience, it is equally important for commuters to play our part and contribute to a culture of care. I encourage everyone to think about these in three steps: be aware, understand, and lend a hand.

Step 1: Be Aware

10.    Be aware means we are conscious  of those who are in need around us. Often times, when we commute, we tend to be absorbed, for instance, on our phones. When we are not aware of those in need around us, we would not be able to help them.

11.    This is what we seek to encourage in this year’s Caring Commuter Week exhibition – titled “Ride with Me”. The exhibition has a simple message: that being part of a more caring community starts first with greater awareness of others who have greater needs than ourselves, and of the challenges they face while navigating our public transport system. 

12.    “Ride with Me” offers a window into the experiences of commuters with diverse needs onboard our public transport system, such as seniors, persons with disabilities, parents with young children and those with less visible conditions. So on the surface, you may think this person is ok, but the person may actually have a disability and may need more help. Through this exhibition, we hope to have the opportunity to walk in their shoes and so that we can better appreciate the challenges they face.

13.    I thank LTA, PTC, the four public transport operators – SMRT, SBS Transit, Go-Ahead Singapore, and Tower Transit Singapore, as well as social sector partners like SG Enable, Dementia Singapore and the Agency for Integrated Care, for working on this together. This is a team effort. We need to bring all the partners together and work on this together. 

Step 2: Understand the help needed

14.    Beyond raising awareness, we also need to understand when and how to assist persons with different needs.  

15.    Earlier this year, the Public Transport Council (PTC) partnered Singapore Polytechnic’s Media, Arts & Design School to develop four web games for those aged 7 to 12. Each game is set in a different public transport scenario, and the players are to identify and assist commuters in need of help on public transport.

16.    Besides gamification, LTA will also be introducing a new book entitled “Joyful Rides for All”, for commuters to familiarise themselves with the various inclusive features found at our train stations and bus interchanges, so that they can better support those who need help. 

17.    Next year, we will be launching a practical course to equip Caring Commuter Champions with hands-on skills to support commuters with different forms of disabilities. 

Step 3: Lend a hand

18.    Finally, we hope that with greater awareness and better understanding, more Singaporeans will put this knowledge into action, and reach out to help our fellow commuters. Lending a hand can be as simple as giving way to vulnerable commuters when boarding or alighting, or checking if someone needs assistance. Such small acts of kindness may not be very major but to the person you are helping, it can make a difference for him or her.

19.    Each year, as part of Caring Commuter Week, we celebrate these acts of kindness shown by fellow commuters through our Caring Commuter Awards. 

20.    Amongst our award recipients this year is Ms Siti Rabiah, the recipient of this year’s Richard Magnus Award for the Outstanding Caring Commuter. When Ms Siti saw that an elderly commuter had fallen, she stayed behind to care for the injured commuter.

21.    Despite missing several buses, Ms Siti ensured that the fellow commuter received proper care, even going the extra mile to accompany her to the hospital.  Her selflessness and concern for others makes her a shining example of a caring commuter.

22.    Beyond these singular acts of kindness, we also celebrate our growing Caring Commuter Champions movement. The recent East-West Line disruption brought the service of our Caring Commuter Champions to the fore. They were an important part of our response to the disruption, assisting fellow commuters at bus stops by providing directions and they offered assistance to seniors and those with difficulty walking. I want, on behalf of my colleagues, to say a big thank you to our Caring Commuters for their hard work and dedication.

23.    We want to continue growing our corps of Caring Commuter Champions. Last year, we introduced a new tier of Caring Commuter Champion volunteers called ‘Inspirers’. These are individuals who, besides committing to caring for others on their commute, are also helping to bring other volunteers to join the movement.

24.    This year, we will also be recognising staff from Public Transport Operators who have gone above and beyond their duty in promoting the caring commuter movement.

25.    I am very confident that our new and seasoned Inspirers will continue to bring more volunteers onboard the caring commuter movement, and inspire more commuters to join this movement. 

Working with partners to strengthen our system of support 

26.    The momentum of the Caring SG Commuters movement would also not have been possible without the strong support of partners who have co-created projects with us to expand our outreach efforts. The number of partners we have worked with has grown significantly, from 3 in 2017 in the early days of the Caring SG Commuters movement, to 136 in 2024. 

27.    I am therefore delighted to launch the Caring SG Commuters Partners Award this year, which recognises the invaluable contributions of our partners who have worked closely with the Caring SG Commuters Committee. We need your help, we need your support, and we need your partnership sop that we can all work together to help more commuters and create this inclusive and caring commuting culture. 

28.    Today, we honour three key partners who have made significant contributions to this cause.

a.     Firstly, the team from Republic Polytechnic behind project CompassioNATION, an initiative to reach out to students and educate them on how to support commuters with disabilities. 

b.     Next, we have Lianhua Primary School, a dedicated supporter of the CARE Ride @ South West initiative since 2022. Lianhua Primary has adopted this programme as an annual school activity, where students learn from young the importance of being caring and considerate to others on public transport.

c.     Lastly, the National University Health System (NUHS), which has helped to raise awareness of the “May I Have a Seat Please” initiative within their network of hospitals and polyclinics. 

Conclusion

29.    Once again, a big thank you to the Caring SG Commuters Committee, our PTOs, partners and this year’s Caring Commuter Award recipients for leading the way in helping us to foster a more caring commuting culture. 

30.    You have shown us that no act of kindness is too small, and that we can all, as individuals, do our part in making the commuting experience more inclusive and delightful for our fellow commuters.  

31.    Let’s continue to grow this culture of care, where every commuter can feel safe, included and respected. Thank you.