Metro bus service should be more handicapped-friendly - DAMAI president

The city's Metro bus service has been urged to be more friendly to handicapped persons.

Disabled Persons Association of Malaysia (DAMAI) president V. Murugeswaran said since the bus company took over several routes from the RapidKL bus company in the city, the handicapped have had to find other alternatives.

"For instance, there are 50 handicapped persons in the Taman Puchong Prima area who have had to depend on the kindness of their neighbours to send them or get a taxi when they want to go to a clinic or hospital," he told reporters here today.

He urged the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to impose a condition that bus companies in the country improve the quality of public transport services to the handicapped.

According to DAMAI member D. Krishnamah, 56, the Metro buses do not follow the travel schedule.

"Sometimes we have to wait almost two hours for the buses," she said.

A Metro bus representative, when met by Bernama, declined to comment on the claim.

SPAD had revamped the bus service in the city effective from Dec 1 last year.

In the revamp, the bus network was divided into eight corridors - Jalan Ipoh Corridor, Jalan Pahang Corridor, Ampang Corridor, Cheras Corridor, Sungai Besi Corridor, Klang Lama Corridor, Federal Highway Corridor and the Damansara Corridor.