Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Usefulness of Travel Buddy Programme to Passengers in Wheelchair and Implement Similar Initiatives Across Entire Rail Network

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether LTA has assessed the usefulness of SBS Transit Ltd's Travel Buddy Programme to passengers- in-wheelchair and, if so, what are its views; and

b.     whether the Ministry will consider working with public transport operators to implement similar initiatives to all persons with disabilities and for such service to be available across the entire rail network.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     SBS Transit launched the Travel Buddy Programme in December 2022 for passengers in wheelchair to navigate a public transport journey with the help of a trained travel buddy. As the initiative is newly launched, the Land Transport of Authority (LTA) will work with SBS Transit to evaluate its effectiveness progressively.

2.     The Ministry has been working with public transport operators on inclusive transport initiatives under the Caring SG Commuters Committee. Initiatives that receive positive feedback have been expanded network-wide. One example is the "May I Have a Seat Please" lanyard for commuters with invisible disabilities, which started out as a trial under Go-Ahead Singapore. A second example is the listing of public transport nodes as Dementia Go-to Points which was initiated by SMRT. LTA will continue to work with public transport operators to explore new initiatives and expand those found to be effective, to create a more inclusive public transport system for all commuters.