GROUPS representing people with disabilities are appealing to the government to make train stations in the country more disabled-friendly.

They said although some stations have elevators for wheelchair access, these elevators are usually out of service.

They said the government and service providers need to do more to ensure more disabled people take the trains.

“Without elevators, there is no way for wheelchair users like me to get on or off the platforms. The frequent breakdowns are causing inconveniences to us.

“We are not sure if they work and that’s why people with disabilities shun the trains,” said Malaysian Chinese Handicapped People general secretary Sia Siew Chin.

Siew Chin, who is also president and founder of Malaysian Independent Living Association For Disabled, said some disabled people have tried asking Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) staff to help them get to the platform, but there have been instances where staff ended up hurt trying to haul the wheelchair user and their wheelchair up to the elevated platform.

Such incidents do not exactly inspire the disabled to take trains, she said.

“We are reluctant to bother these people. We would rather not go out because we fear more serious accidents could happen to us, like falling off the platform.”

Siew Chin said the gaps between the platform and the train entrances are too wide, though the ones at LRT and MRT stations are “slightly smaller”. 

Unless there is a worker nearby or a passerby willing to assist, wheelchair users face difficulty getting on and off trains, she said. 

“Our problem is that we can’t expect help from passersby all the time. They could be in a hurry and have no time to help.”

Malaysian Parents with Disabilities Association founder Sia Ling Ling also shared Siew Chin’s dismay with the frequent breakdown of elevators at some LRT stations. 

Ling Ling said the government should improve facilities at train stations, making them not only disabled-friendly, but also safe and convenient. 

She said by making these stations accessible, it would ease the burden of one segment of society. 

Last month, the Transport Ministry announced unlimited free electric train passes for primary and secondary school students and people with disabilities.

Siew Chin said disabled people cannot enjoy free rides if they cannot get to the platforms.

She suggested the ministry learn from Japan about how to handle accessibility features for train stations. 

She said in Japan, train company officers are always on alert for disabled passengers.

“They will walk behind wheelchair users, and when they want to board the train or disembark, they have a kind of rubber pad that bridges the gap, making it easier for wheelchairs to enter or exit the car.

“Then when the train leaves, that staff member will immediately contact the station (at which) disabled person is (disembarking) to alert his colleague that a person with disability is onboard the train and requires assistance.”

She said if the disabled can move around easily with cheap public transport, they can try their hand at petty business to support their livelihoods. 

“We need to be independent. We can’t just rely on our families and government welfare handouts to make ends meet.” 

If not, she said, disabled people will become a burden to the government, society and their families in the long run. 

In January, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry was in talks with KTMB over how to reduce the financial burden of students and people with disabilities.

In February, Loke announced that primary and secondary school students and people with disabilities who are registered with the Social Welfare Department can use a new travel pass for free rides on KTMB’s eastern intercity trains in the Kimas-Libei-Dawei region; electric trains in the Klang Valley, and electric trains in the northern region.

He said the free pass programme would cost the government RM4 million a year. – March 2, 2023.