Property and Train Damage Caused by Use of Personal Mobility Aids on Public Transport

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Acting Minister for Transport in view that wheelchairs and other Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) are allowed on board public buses and trains 

a.     how many cases have been reported on deliberate property and train damage caused by PMAs; and 

b.     how will the Ministry support public transport workers in providing advisories to errant PMA users in a safe and empowered manner.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.     There have been no reported cases of wheelchair or Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) users causing deliberate damage to our public transport infrastructure. However, there have been occasional cases of accidental damage.

2.     Our public transport workers are empowered by our regulations to turn away any errant commuters, such as those riding PMAs that exceed the allowable size. Where they encounter uncooperative passengers, they may request Police assistance.

3.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be aligning the dimensions of PMAs allowed on public paths with those allowed on public transport to reduce instances of oversized PMAs being brought onto public transport. LTA will step up public education efforts on the amended rules for PMA use, which will be implemented in 2026. This will help our public transport workers better enforce against errant PMA users.