Cheaper rides for 10,000 with disabilities

This post came out from The Straits Times (15 December 2014)

Close to 10,000 people with disabilities have been issued concession cards that allow them to travel more cheaply on public buses and trains, under a scheme which began in July. The disabled can received a 25 per cent fare discount and will not have to pay additional fares for distances beyond 7.2km. They can also buy a monthly pas offering unlimited travel for $60, instead of $120.

Stakeholders say that the number of people on this scheme gives an idea of public transport usage among the disabled community, though it is hard to tell if the disabled are getting out of the house more as a result, due to a lack of data.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, 3 percent, or about 100,000 people, of Singapore's population have some form of disability. This means that about 10 per cent of the disabled community are using public transport. This figure is comparable to Britain and the United States, but in Australia, 40 per cent of the disabled community use public transport and most of them have concession cards.

Mr Abhimanyau Pal, executive director of SPD, which represents those with disabilities, said there are various reasons the rest do not take public transport. "While lower fares will encourage them to go out more often, some are unable to commute on buses and trains and have to rely on taxis or dedicated transport due to the severity of their disabilities or inaccessibility of their travel routes. Nevertheless, the concessionary fares will go a long way in helping them alleviate their financial burdens as expenses for persons with disabilities are usually higher."


Thoughts:

1. This sounds very useful for the disabled community! I guess it helps in making it more easier in terms of costs for travelling out for social activities.
2. However, if they are dependent on the caregiver, the caregiver does not have subsidized fares. This might be an obstacle due to the cost, and sometimes, hassle of bringing the disabled member out. 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big