New transport scheme for Marine Parade wheelchair users following free shuttle bus discontinuation

SINGAPORE – Wheelchair users living in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC and Mountbatten SMC can receive up to $50 each month – or $600 every year – to fund the cost of transport to medical institutions.

This announcement comes less than a week before the free shuttle bus service for residents of the constituencies

is discontinued on Nov 20.

In a statement on Nov 14, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC and Mountbatten SMC said this new medical transport reimbursement scheme, WeCare Wheels, will run for two years from Dec 1, 2025, to Nov 30, 2027.

Wheelchair users and caregivers who are Singapore citizens residing within the GRC and the SMC can apply. Reimbursement will cover the cost of transport for visits to medical institutions such as hospitals, polyclinics, general practitioner and dental clinics, and specialist outpatient clinics.

It will cover costs only for taxis, private-hire vehicles and medical or wheelchair-accessible transport services that typically cost at least $40 for a round trip.

The reimbursement will not be applicable for public transport services.

Residents can visit the community clubs in these constituencies for more information.

Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC MP Tin Pei Ling had previously said that the constituencies would redirect the resources for the soon-defunct free shuttle service to a transport service “more targeted in scope”.

Noting that there are more senior residents than the national average in both Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC and Mountbatten SMC, the grassroots organisations said they hope this initiative will prevent the cost of transport services from deterring wheelchair users from seeking timely medical care.

Ms Tin said the constituencies understand that the booking of accessible transport can be costly, which is why they are committed to “mobilising resources for such targeted and meaningful causes” that directly benefit vulnerable residents.

The constituencies said they found that wheelchair users often encounter out-of-pocket expenses that can prevent them from going for regular medical appointments.

As such, the $50 monthly cap provides “meaningful financial relief” while encouraging responsible use of the scheme, they added.

Since the initiative will run for two years, it will allow the constituencies to understand its impact and demand within the community.

And, instead of having predetermined targets set, the constituencies said the programme has been designed to be accessible to all wheelchair users who need such support.

This new initiative is funded by grassroots organisations in these constituencies and supported by the South East Community Development Council. The Straits Times has asked the constituencies for the total amount of funds and a breakdown of the funding sources.

The free shuttle bus service has been in operation for about 16 months and plies seven routes during off-peak hours from 10am to 4pm on weekdays. The service makes stops at markets, food centres and polyclinics. However, the constituencies received feedback highlighting that certain groups needed more support.

The shuttle bus service costs about $1 million a year to operate, with the South East CDC providing a one-off $200,000 seed grant, or about 20 per cent, to support the pilot scheme.

The remaining 80 per cent or so comes from donations raised by the CDC and the respective grassroots organisations, then Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan told Parliament in August 2024.

Opposition MPs had questioned in Parliament

the Government’s approach to equity and fairness

in the use of taxpayer-funded grants to run the service. They had asked why the MPs for the Marine Parade cluster were fronting the free shuttle, with their caricatures on one side of the buses.