Month-long free public transport rides for disabled commuters


Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong says to be eligible for free public transport rides, disabled people must carry cards issued by the Social Welfare Department or OKU MyRapid concession cards. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 31, 2022.

PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana), the country’s public transport systems and services provider, will offer free rides to the disabled for a month on all public transport services, says Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong. 

Wee said the free rides, offered in conjunction with National Day celebrations, will start from today to September 30 on all of Prasarana’s services such as RapidKL, Rapid Penang, and Rapid Kuantan, including the LRT, MRT, monorail, BRT, stage bus services, and Rapid Mobility. 

The transport minister said to be eligible for free rides, commuters must carry with them cards issued by the Social Welfare Department or OKU MyRapid concession cards. 

“In conjunction with National Day 2022, all public transport services under the management of Prasarana will offer free rides for one month to people with disabilities,” he told reporters at the Central Market MRT Station today. 

He said the facility will benefit an average of 23,527 (bus users) and 26,762 (rail users) of disabled people. 

Also present at the press conference were OKU Sentral president Ras Adiba Radzi, Prasarana president and group CEO Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, and MRT Corp Sdn Bhd CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim. 

Azharuddin said the offer is Prasarana’s gift to the disabled for their support in using public transport, as well as an initiative under the Keluarga Malaysia clarion call made by the prime minister. 

“Prasarana hopes the free ride offer will benefit about 10,000 disabled people who use the public transport services every day. For those who have not tried it, take this opportunity to experience the public transport system provided and provide feedback to us,” he said. 

Earlier, Wee took a train with a group of visually impaired people and a group of wheelchair users from the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station. 

Ras Adiba, in welcoming the initiative, said the disabled community would require efficient mobility services to reach bus or train systems because many are experiencing difficulties accessing the stations. 

“Many disabled people are working and are self-reliant. With the free rides offered by Prasarana, they can experience something they have not tried,” said Ras Adiba, who is also Bernama chairman. – Bernama, August 31, 2022.


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