*[[Yun's Coffee Break]]*

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

After taking so many WAB (Wheelchair Accessible Bus) services by SBS.. that day it was the first time I witnessed on Bus 143 on how it is used..

I watched as the bus driver shifted the bus so that the exit door is just in front of the wheelchair and he deployed the ramp to wheel the passenger up. Then he closed the ramp with a loud bang!
So FYI from the website after some research..

"What is the role of the BC (Bus Captain)?
What are BCs expected to do whenever there is wheelchair bound commuter taking the bus?
(a) To stop the bus closer to the kerb on seeing a PIW (Passenger-in-wheelchair) at bus stop
(b) After boarding and alighting activities for other commuters, BC gets off and deploys the ramp at the exit door for the PIW to board
(c) Once passenger in the wheelchair is in position, BC may help the passenger tap his ez-link card or slot the fare into the coin box required.
(d) To stow the ramp to original position and continue the journey
(e) BC will render assistance to the passenger when necessary"

I was thinking it shouldn't be too expensive to have an automatic ramp controlled at the driver seat (as like the bus doors) so that it's much faster and convenient..??
Then i read on in the FAQs...
"Based on the experience of overseas operators, the frequency of manual ramp failing is much lower as compared to automatic ramp."

So i got my answer.. well well.. i'm the lazy kind.. everything should be fast and easy haha..
BUT worse still...
"Can other passengers help to operate the ramp?
As it requires some familiarisation to operate the ramp, we would prefer other commuters to help push the wheelchair onto the bus and position them in the designated area. Later, we might embark on a campaign to educate other commuters to operate the ramp to minimise delay."
Ermmm.. it doesn't look easy to handle the ramp lor and seems like anytime my finger will be going in!! haa.. I got a feeling it's just bad design la..

Well.. here is the WAB leaflet.. in case u meet with someone who needs your help one day..

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