Penang Watch

Dr Teng wanted a survey on the bumpiness of the roads along RapidPg's routes before he can decide whether to provide low-platform disable friendly buses to Penang, when RapidPg as the new bus operator was first introduced to Penangites.  It is not sure if his `bump reports' had come out. However now he want another report -this time about where the disable live and where they like to hang out. This is very difficult since it is hypothetical entirely ! Before the buses are made accessible to them how can anyone find out where they like to go ? And is there a good reason to think that disable people only congregate in certain spots in Penang ? And they could only like to go to particular spots ? Shouldn't the buses be provided first before you can do such a survey-if it is neccesary in the first place ? Had Dr Teng put the cart before the horse this time ? Anyway it is so hypothetical that the report should make fantastic reading when it does come out. However the disable groups are more straight to the point to give a piece of their mind to Dr Teng :

PRESS RELEASE, PENANG, 20 MAY 2007

BARRIER-FREE TRANSPORT IS TRANSPORT FOR ALL

On Saturday, a major Forum on Public Transport for Disadvantaged Groups was held at the Complex Masyarakat Penyayang, organised by 10 Penang-based NGOs and with the participation of national speakers and opened by Dr Teng Hock Nan. The 100 participants, from a wide range of disability-related organisations and CEPAT (Citizens for Public Transport), re-affirmed their commitment to Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport for all.

Participants from the forum were pleased to read a statement in Saturday's Star from State Executive Councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, that  "Even if the headcount is very low, RapidPenang will still service the routes." Clearly the right to public transport is the only consideration. Given this, we were shocked to read in Sunday Star that people using wheelchairs will not have accessible transport as a right, and that RapidPenang does not intend to introduce wheelchair accessible buses at this time. Dr Teng's statements are confusing, contradictory and discriminatory: the headcount is clearly irrelevant for all Penang citizens, but used as sole criteria for access to transport for people with disabilities.

We find it outrageous that buses have been purchased which accommodate the needs of the elderly, pregnant women and children, and we are surprised that they need "special seats." To our knowledge, while priority seats may be identified for people from these categories, they are not especially constructed. At the same time, Dr Teng stated that people with disabilities must wait for a survey before barrier-free transport is introduced.  This is a delaying tactic. Forty NGOs in Penang have already made it clear that there is a need, and this is reflected in the Memorandum submitted to Dr Teng at yesterday's forum.

Even more extraordinary is the statement that Singapore's transport policy is to be emulated. It took Singapore 20 years to introduce barrier-free buses on 6 routes. It took Rapid KL 8 months to purchase 100 buses to cover 63 trunk routes and 10 city shuttle routes, with more to come. Perhaps Penang should look to KL rather than Singapore.

Although Dr Teng opened the forum, he obviously treated the views of its participants with disdain.  People with disabilities have never had access to transport, and have always been deprived of the freedom of movement and opportunities to participate in society and to contribute to the nation.

For further information, contact

Christine Lee, Co-ordinator, Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT), 019 3685639

Peter Tan, Assistant Co-ordinator, Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT), 00133403728

 North
Sunday May 20, 2007

Survey on needs of the wheelchair-bound(Star)

PENANG: A survey on the needs of the wheelchair-bound will be conducted before RapidPenang can introduce disabled-friendly buses for them. 

Making public transportation accessible for the wheelchair-bound could not be done overnight, state Local Government and Traffic Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said. 

?We must first identify the main areas where wheelchair-bound passengers live and the places they normally travel to.  

?It is not as simple as buying wheelchair-friendly buses which are costly. We are buying 150 buses equipped with special seats for the elderly, pregnant women and child-ren under the first phase,? he said, adding that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could assist the state by providing such data.  

Dr Teng was speaking to reporters after addressing participants of the Public Transport for Disadvantaged Groups forum at Penang Caring Society Complex yesterday. 

He said that even Singapore, which was known for its efficient public transportation system, took many years to provide accessible transportation for wheelchair passengers. 

?I think it took them about 20 years to achieve that. I was told that Singapore only provided buses with wheelchair facilities last year, plying only six routes initially. Now they have increased it to 10,? he said 

Earlier, a memorandum on accessible buses for disabled persons was handed to Dr Teng. It was endorsed by 40 NGOs and individuals.