RAIL service disruptions are especially worrying for elderly commuters who have mobility issues, like myself.
Several MRT stations are located next to government hospitals. Many outpatients, including the elderly, those in wheelchairs, and those using walking sticks, use public transport like the MRT to get to medical appointments.
If a train disruption affects these stations, these commuters will be especially affected, and will have difficulty walking on the rail tracks, exiting the platforms and queueing for feeder buses.
When I expressed my concern to the staff at Dhoby Ghaut, Outram Park and Novena MRT stations, I was shocked to learn that they do not receive special training for such scenarios.
As Singapore prepares for a fast-ageing population, planning for such scenarios should be included.
Train operators should put in place protocols to meet the challenges of a service disruption, and give their staff special training. Staff at MRT stations next to hospitals should be given first-aid training, so they can attend to commuters who may be feeling unwell. These stations should have wheelchairs and defibrillators on standby, so care can be given before ambulances arrive.
Extra staff should be deployed to assist elderly commuters in exiting the train cabins and walking on rail tracks, and to guide them to buses. Special buses should be reserved for commuters with mobility issues.
A complete review needs to be done, and operational protocols updated, to meet the needs of our ageing society.
We also need to find real, workable solutions to the recurrent service lapses and disruptions.
Jasmine P'ng Siok Lee (Ms)
Several MRT stations are located next to government hospitals. Many outpatients, including the elderly, those in wheelchairs, and those using walking sticks, use public transport like the MRT to get to medical appointments.
If a train disruption affects these stations, these commuters will be especially affected, and will have difficulty walking on the rail tracks, exiting the platforms and queueing for feeder buses.
When I expressed my concern to the staff at Dhoby Ghaut, Outram Park and Novena MRT stations, I was shocked to learn that they do not receive special training for such scenarios.
As Singapore prepares for a fast-ageing population, planning for such scenarios should be included.
Train operators should put in place protocols to meet the challenges of a service disruption, and give their staff special training. Staff at MRT stations next to hospitals should be given first-aid training, so they can attend to commuters who may be feeling unwell. These stations should have wheelchairs and defibrillators on standby, so care can be given before ambulances arrive.
Extra staff should be deployed to assist elderly commuters in exiting the train cabins and walking on rail tracks, and to guide them to buses. Special buses should be reserved for commuters with mobility issues.
A complete review needs to be done, and operational protocols updated, to meet the needs of our ageing society.
We also need to find real, workable solutions to the recurrent service lapses and disruptions.
Jasmine P'ng Siok Lee (Ms)
