CAN!

PTC responds to our letter

2012-01-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Reena,

I refer to your email to the PTC Chairman on 29 December 2011. He has read your email as well as your previous petition to the PTC in 2009. He is aware of the issues raised and he has requested me to respond on his behalf.

We thank you for bringing to our attention that notwithstanding the various forms of transport assistance already available, there are still people with disabilities who do not benefit from the existing concession or assistance schemes. Further to our earlier reply in December 2009, we would like to share that concessions on public transport are cross-subsidised by other full fare-paying commuters. That is why the public transport operators have been judicious in expanding the pool of concession groups.

Please be assured that the public transport operators are fully aware of requests for concession by the disabled, including your petition in 2009 which we had shared with them. Going forward, the PTC will continue to encourage the public transport operators to review their policy on public transport concessions for various groups including the disabled, and work with them progressively to meet the various concession requests in a balanced manner.

Regards
XXX
Secretary
Public Transport Council

Letter to PTC Chairman

2011-12-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

we sent the following report to the Chairman of Public Transport Council today:

--
Mr Gerard Ee
Chairman
Public Transport Council

Dear Mr Ee

I refer to this report here (https://www.facebook.com/notes/lim-kun-yun-edison/reflection-on-meeting-with-ptc-chairman-mr-gerard-on-the-issue-of-polytechnic-tr/10150496848434074) which states that you have met with member of Young PAP campaigning for parity in public transportation for polytechnic students.

The article states that 2012 will be the year in which the formula for fare adjustment for public transportation will be re-looked and so next year would be a good year to 'push for fare revisions for polytechnic students'.

We are gladdened that you have chosen to meet with the young Party members to personally hear their grouses about the unfair public transport fare. In September 2009, we requested to meet the then-Transport Minister Raymond Lim to deliver a petition signed by 377 people who are mostly from the disabled community (but also includes some caregivers and a few sympathisers to our cause). A staff from the Ministry responded to us that "public transport fare concessions are granted by the public transport operators based on their commercial and social considerations. They will decide which group of commuters to give concessionary travel to. Therefore, we would suggest you contact the public transport operators directly to present your petition. The two operators can then work together to look at your petition accordingly."

We have written in to the Public Transport Council the past and you had responded that there are schemes like the National Council of Social Services administered ‘LTA Cares Fund’, Handicap Welfare Association’s ‘Dial-a-Cab’ scheme, LTA administered ‘Scheme for waiver of ARF’ and other assorted constituency-based financial help schemes to defray the transportation costs of people with disabilities.

While we appreciate these help schemes, they do not go the distance in helping us, the more vulnerable in society, live more useful, active and engaged lives.

Although the people with disabilities are not precluded from the existing concession granted to children, students and senior citizens, many of us do not fall within these groups of people who are granted such concessions. Most people with disabilities who are employed earn a meager amount and usually spend more than a third of our income on transportation. The burden of transportation for those that are unemployable is even more a cause for concern.

The article states that after meeting with them you mentioned, "I would rather focus on getting the Poly Fare lower than any other things next year (2012)". This underscores the reason why we wanted to meet with the Transport Minister in 2009. We felt that nothing can convince someone of a cause better than a face-to-face meeting.

In view of the fact that the formula for fare adjustment for public transportation will be re-looked next year, my friends and I write this email to request a meeting with your good-self so that you may hear and understand why we are asking for parity in public transportation; that the same level of transport subsidy that is given to our senior citizens be extended to us as well. This is the norm all over the world.

We hope to convince you (if we get to meet you in person) why parity in public transportation for people with disabilities is important; so that we may live our lives with dignity.
Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Reena Rajesvari
CAN! Coordinator

Thank you Sylvia Lim

2011-05-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

CAN! members Rahamatullah and Shamsiah garlanded Ms Sylvia Lim for speaking up for the people who are disabled twice in Parliament.

CAN! hopes that the Minister for Transport will not be "very slow in stipulating (to operators) how best to run the concession policy", in the new Parliament. And that the new government will do their part in helping the people with disability get the dignity they deserve.

CAN! makes a joint UPR submission to United Nations

2010-10-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

CAN! and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Foundation made a joint-submission to the United Nations on using the rights-based approach when dealing with people with disability, as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process that will review Singapore’s human rights record.

The submission can downloaded via the link HERE.

Public consultation for civil societies UPR shadow report

2010-10-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

CAN! representatives Reena and Rahmatullah participated in MARUAH's public consultation exercise for civil societies UPR shadow report.

We decided to put up a joint report on 'People with Disabilities' with MARUAH, as we felt that although the government of Singapore has made good effort to meet some of the needs of the people with disability, these efforts are largely rendered from the platform of charity and not from the platform of rights.

Together, we will raise a number of issues affecting people with disabilities including:

1. Compulsory education for people with disabilities;

2. Affordable public transportation for people with disabilities; and

3. Setting up a centre for people with disabilities, which will coordinate resources and support with the government.

Sylvia Lim asks for concessionary travel for disabled on public transport

2010-03-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

This was a speech in Parliament on 11 March 2010 by NCMP, Sylvia Lim,during the Committee of Supply debate, on the budget for the Ministry of Transport.

—————-

Disabled persons face challenges fitting into society for work, recreation and social interaction. Travel is a necessary step towards integration, to work, to socialise and to be consumers.There are currently no public transport concessions for the disabled.The disabled here have low earning capacity. Many do not work; those who do, earn a few hundred dollars per month, spending up to a third on travel expenses.The government has often said that we should build an inclusive society. It therefore should not take a back seat on this issue.Other governments are proactive. In the UK, disabled persons qualify for a special “Railcard” which entitles them to travel throughout the UK at one-third off from the normal fare. In addition, disabled persons in London can travel off-peak for free on buses, the Underground and trains.The government cannot wash its hands off the matter by saying that the public transport system is operated commercially and it is up to the public transport operators (PTOs) to decide. The disabled have no bargaining power against the big companies.For instance, the Land Transport Authority, as regulator, can make it a licensing condition that the PTOs recognize disabled passengers for concession travel.According to a 2001 MOH survey, less than 2 per cent of Singaporean adults below 60 have some sort of disability. Is the number of disabled too much for the PTOs? The PTO’s operations are reaping profits of tens of millions of dollars annually and this is part of their corporate social responsibility.

Disabled persons face challenges fitting into society for work, recreation and social interaction. Travel is a necessary step towards integration, to work, to socialise and to be consumers.

There are currently no public transport concessions for the disabled.
The disabled here have low earning capacity. Many do not work; those who do, earn a few hundred dollars per month, spending up to a third on travel expenses.
The government has often said that we should build an inclusive society. It therefore should not take a back seat on this issue.

Other governments are proactive. In the UK, disabled persons qualify for a special “Railcard” which entitles them to travel throughout the UK at one-third off from the normal fare. In addition, disabled persons in London can travel off-peak for free on buses, the Underground and trains.

The government cannot wash its hands off the matter by saying that the public transport system is operated commercially and it is up to the public transport operators (PTOs) to decide. The disabled have no bargaining power against the big companies.

For instance, the Land Transport Authority, as regulator, can make it a licensing condition that the PTOs recognize disabled passengers for concession travel.

According to a 2001 MOH survey, less than 2 per cent of Singaporean adults below 60 have some sort of disability. Is the number of disabled too much for the PTOs? The PTO’s operations are reaping profits of tens of millions of dollars annually and this is part of their corporate social responsibility.

———–

Transport Minister Raymond Lim’s reply:

“I’d be very slow in stipulating (to operators) how best to run the concession policy.”

Parliamentary Secretary (Transport) Teo Ser Luck:

Mr Teo reiterated the Government’s non-intervention stand; it will “strongly encourage” public transport operators to consider requests from the disabled and elderly. Help is available to the needy through schemes such as Workfare and ComCare, said Mr Teo.

Source: Gerald Giam

PTC responds to our petition

2009-12-21T18:06:00.000-08:00

Me and My Friend Enjoy a Movie

2009-12-14T19:21:00.001-08:00

CAN! supports MARUAH's event.

Me and My Friend at the Park

2009-12-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

CAN! supports MARUAH's event.

Renewed calls for public transport subsidies for the disabled

2009-12-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Link: Channel News Asia

Report from the Chinese Newspaper

2009-12-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

Today News Report

2009-12-03T22:20:00.001-08:00

Link: TODAY

Disabled protest

2009-06-08T01:24:00.000-07:00

Taking turns to address a crowd of some 60 people, a group of disabled Singaporeans urged the authorities to hear their plea for transport subsidy.

“What is the point of providing accessibility at MRT stations when there is no subsidy?” asked one speaker. They said transport subsidy will go a long way to provide mobility for them, most of whom are in the low-paying jobs.

Another speaker was 37-year old social worker Mr Wong U-Wen. A deaf, Mr Wong used sign language to articulate his views on the need for transport subsidy.

He said: “Because the government does not believe in a welfare system, disabled persons face the economic hardship. The costs of living standards are pretty high, I mean crazy. I think the government needs to cut down on our transport costs.”

The half-hour event, organised by social activist Mr Ravi Philemon, ended with a petition signing asking the authorities to consider subsidizing their transport costs.

Link: SG Politics

Petition for lower fares for the disabled

2009-05-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

10 years - and still no public transport subsidy for disabled

2009-05-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

The fight for transport concessions is not likely to be easy though. SMRT operator’s reply to Reena in 2000 was: we have to be “prudent about extending any travel concessions beyond the present eligible groups” because “concession fares are cross-subsidized by full-fare paying passengers with no direct subsidy”. In short, SMRT’s reply was ‘no’.

Read the entire article here: The Online Citizen

Online Petition for Transport Subsidy for the Challenged People

2009-05-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

Support our Online Petition here: iPetitions

SBS looks into lower fares for disabled

2009-05-23T05:25:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, an advocacy group which calls itself Challengeds' Alliance Network is petitioning the Ministry of Transport for concession fares or free travel on public transport.

The petition was started by telemarketeer Rethinasamy Rajasvari, 50, who is blind in one eye. Signatures will be collected at a gathering at Hong Lim Park at 5pm tomorrow.

Asked for her reaction to SBS Transit's planned move, she said: 'It'd be wonderful if they offer it.'

Read entire Straits Times article here: SBS looks into lower fares for the disabled

Shin Min Daily Report

2009-05-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Overcoming fear and misinformation - Give us our dignity!

2009-05-22T01:47:00.000-07:00

We don’t want to sign the petition”, says John (not his real name). John and Ryan (not his real name either), are visually handicapped (blind) buskers. They try to sell tissue-papers to the passers-by at various Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations.

“We don’t earn much,” says John, “maybe about $15 or $20 every month”. “Of course there are a lot of people passing by, but they are blind to us or maybe we are invisible to them”, he adds.

When asked why he would not support the petition, John says, “Our association will be upset with us, or the government will be upset with us. And anyway, we sometimes get free bus rides to the MRT stations when we show our card.”

However, the card is not a concession card but merely a form of identification, and the visually handicapped would have to pay full fares when the driver asks them to do so. Ryan, who says that he is aware of that, adds, “Our social worker has told us to just pay when the driver asks us to pay.”

John, who identified Reena, the Challenged Alliance Network! (CAN!) Coordinator, said, “We are glad that you are brave enough to fight for this. Although we (John and Ryan) will not sign the petition, we wish you all the best”.

Read the rest of the article here: The Online Citizen

Reply from SMRT in 2000

2009-05-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

Let disabled ride buses and trains for free

2009-05-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

Telemarketeer Rethinasamy Rajasvari, who is blind in one eye, says people with handicaps need help with transport costs MISS Rethinasamy Rajasvari, 49, has been in and out of meet-the-people's sessions in the last two years, pleading with Members of Parliament (MPs) for one cause:

By Mindy Tan, The New Paper
15 January 2008

MISS Rethinasamy Rajasvari, 49, has been in and out of meet-the-people's sessions in the last two years, pleading with Members of Parliament (MPs) for one cause:

Waive public transport fares for the disabled.

Unlike students and the elderly, who get ez-link farecard concessions, the blind and physically disabled in Singapore get no official discounts and have to pay the regular fare.

Miss Rethinasamy, a telemarketeer who suffers from adult blindness and has only 10 per cent vision in one eye, takes home $700 a month and spends $500 of it on transport.

She said: 'The disabled are a small group in Singapore. Would it cost a lot to let us travel for free?

'At least, give us a concession.'

About 2,800 blind people are served by the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH).

MOST AFFORDABLE

Its executive director Edmund Wan estimated that 80 per cent of SAVH members take buses. He said: 'This is the most affordable mode of transport. There is no alternative.'

To save costs, Miss Rethinasamy, who is an active prisons volunteer, depends heavily on the compassion of bus drivers to get a fare waiver.

She takes two feeder buses and the MRT to get from her Ang Mo Kio three-room flat to her Havelock Road office.

Seeing her with a white cane, most drivers do not insist that she taps her ez-link card.

Instead, they ask her to sit down.

If drivers ask her to pay, she produces her SAVH card to prove she is visually handicapped. And then it is up to the driver, she said.

However, the SAVH card is not an official concession pass.

Mr Wan said: The card is only a form of identification for the visually handicapped to inform the public that they need help.

'But it has been a historical practice that most bus drivers do not insist that the visually handicapped pay the fares.'

On the MRT, some officers have refused to let Miss Rethinasamy through, she claimed.

And when it rains, she has to take a taxi to work, as the slippery floor and rush-hour crowd make it difficult for her to find her way.

With the taxi fare hike, her journey now costs $22.

ComfortDelGro did not comment when The New Paper asked if there were plans to introduce free transport or concessionary travel for the disabled on its transport systems, including SBS Transit buses.

However, Miss Tammy Tan, the group corporate communications officer, said the company has invested $280 million on more than 200wheelchair accessible buses since 2006. The 500 buses it has newly- ordered are wheelchair-friendly too.

She said: 'We are, and continue to be, the only public bus service provider in Singapore to have such wheelchair- friendly buses in our fleet.'

CONCESSIONS SOON?

For two years, Miss Rethinasamy has been writing to the authorities for a concession card for the disabled. Nothing has been implemented so far.

She said: 'In response to my appeal, the authorities sent me a letter saying, 'We cannot put this in practice now.' I was so disheartened that I tore up the letter immediately.'

The SAVH doubts disabled people will ever travel for free.

Mr Wan said: 'We welcome a free transport scheme by operators but doubt this would happen as it would mean offsetting their earnings.'

He recommends a concessionary scheme because the majority of visually handicapped people fall into the lowest strata of earning power.

Such a scheme could be 'just like the one offered to senior citizens', he said.

'Also, the card should not be restricted to non-peak hours as they need to commute to work.

'Concessions will help them meet the rising costs when their earnings do not rise correspondingly. They do need help.'

Miss Rethinasamy said: 'It is tedious for the disabled to get around. High transport costs also keep many at home since we have low-paying jobs or are jobless.'

'We are blind but we don't want to sit at home and brood. We still want to be useful to society, be part of support groups, learn new skills, and we need to travel.'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT'S DONE HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD: Low fares, friendly features

SINGAPORE

Tactile markers in train stations

100 ComfortDelGro taxi drivers from the CabbyCare Charity Group of have forked out $55,000 from their own pockets to fund taxi trips for the disabled since 2006

Handicare Cab Scheme waives booking fees of trips made by beneficiaries of the Handicaps Welfare Association.

HONG KONG

Comprehensive public transport guide for disabled

Braille plates on add-value machines and lifts at stations

Induction hearing aids for the deaf

Tactile station layout map with voice synthesis device

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Lower flag-down rate and meter charges in cabs for the disabled. They get priority when booking cabs, and don't pay booking charges

AUSTRALIA

Free travel permit schemes for the blind on railways, buses and ferries

In Victoria, companions of the blind get free travel, a move to help reduce caregivers' financial burden

ENGLAND

Free bus pass for off-peak travel

Free travel on trams in some areas

Half-price coach travel

Link: The New Paper