Penang Watch

RapidPg was said to take an opportunity at a UNDP workshop on accessiblity in Penang to present its new accessible buses. However that was not to be-the few proto-types reported to be on test run in Penang was shown only to a couple of Singapore accessiblity consultants, who found the model to be wanting on a couple of critical areas eg the spaces for the single space allocated for wheelchair passenger. The consultants, Judy Wee and Patrick, did present their findings to the largely disabled community at the 3rd day of the workshop. For previous 2 days the workshop openned its door to specific audience in the government and the business sector.

Even without the chance of viewing and expereincing the bus some participants expressed their concern that since the model will be used for more future bus acquisitions in Penang (said to be 200) and KL (said to be between 500-1000) the model must get it right after a couple of bungles and false starts by RapidPg before. 

The 1st 100 `accessible buses' were rejected by users in KL-and became a huge waste of expenses and opportunities. A passenger actually fell off the steep ramp at the trial run. 

Of particular concern is the gradient of the ramp-which is suspecetd to be around 1:8, compare to safer standards at 1:12 or 1:20. The latest model seems to have reduce the length of the ramp by 5", thus raising further concern over safety. 

Other features of the latest model: the ramp will be totally manual to stop mechanical hitches-thoughn some people may prefer semi-automated ramps to ease the work of bus drivers. It was said that the ramp is the same as the one used in the last rejected model, bought from the same company in UK.

More reports on this mysterious `accessible' bus will follow here.

Ong BK