Initiatives in place for a senior-friendly transport system

We thank Ms Lim Lih Mei for her suggestions ("Make road access to clinics, hospitals safer"; Forum Online, Aug 9).

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has introduced several senior-friendly initiatives over the years.

The Walk2Ride programme expands the sheltered-walkway network to connect transport nodes with residential developments and public amenities, such as healthcare facilities.

All bus interchanges, MRT and LRT stations, and about 97 per cent of all bus stops, are now barrier-free.

We have begun a programme to install lifts at six overhead bridges, and will do more in the coming years to assist seniors and people with disabilities to cross roads near health institutions, welfare homes and homes for the aged.

Similarly, Green Man+ traffic lights will be implemented at 1,000 pedestrian crossings islandwide by 2018, to give seniors and people with disabilities more time to cross the road.

We are also making roads safer for seniors by implementing Silver Zones, which are fitted with senior-friendly road safety features, in residential areas with a higher elderly population.

The LTA has conducted consultation sessions with seniors and their caregivers to gather views on how their public transport experiences can be improved.

One such session was conducted last Thursday, where we sought feedback on how to improve way-finding in our public transport system, to make it easier for seniors to find their way.

We welcome feedback on improvements for a more senior-friendly transport system.

If there is any specific location that Ms Lim is referring to, she can write to us at feedback@lta.gov.sg or call our hotline on 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255-582).

Tan Shin Gee (Ms)
Director, Active Mobility & Policy
Land Transport Authority

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 26, 2015, with the headline Initiatives in place for a senior-friendly transport system. Subscribe