Senior-friendly enhancements to public transport system in the works

SINGAPORE — To make public transport more senior-friendly, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) is looking into redesigning directional signs at MRT stations and bus interchanges, and installing passenger information displays (PID) on buses, among other things.

The LTA announced this during a consultation session with seniors held today (Aug 20).

Since June last year, more than 1,300 participants, mostly seniors, have engaged in 47 focus group discussions held by the Ministerial Committee on Ageing on topics ranging from healthcare to housing, transport and employment.

For transport, the issues raised by the seniors covered four aspects: Improving safety, creating better accessibility, greater comfort and making it easier for them to find their way around the stations.

Today, the prototypes of these enhancements were tested by 30 seniors aged 45 to 70, as they navigated their way from Marymount to Bishan MRT stations. They then took a bus that was enhanced with LED and LCD screens from Bishan bus interchange back to the LTA building in Hampshire Road. The enhancements include the increased font size of signs, new colour-based directional signs and audio announcements to complement the PID on buses.

The seniors also attended a focus group discussion with Senior Minister of State (Finance and Transport) Josephine Teo, sharing their views on the prototypes and providing suggestions on further improvement.

From the session, most seniors said they found it useful to have the PID on buses, such as two LED screens showing the upcoming bus stop, and one LCD screen reflecting the current stop and two upcoming stops.

Interior designer Linus Manuel, 67, who took part in the discussions, said: “With signs, audio and screens in buses showing you two stops ahead, it will be less stressful for someone travelling to an area for the first time.”

“This will also be good for passengers with prams and shopping bags, as they have ample time to prepare (before) alighting,” he added.

Some areas that the participants said could be improved included elevating the LCD screen in buses, since it may be blocked if the bus is too crowded. For clarity in the audio announcement in buses, a few seniors felt that it should be in a local voice, instead of a Caucasian voice-over.

A few seniors at the session also suggested facilities that would make it easier for them to move around the train stations.

Office manager Phyllis Chng, 62, said: “The walking distance from one MRT platform to the next may be long. Since Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station has a travelator, Bishan and Paya Lebar should have them in the upcoming years, too, in order to facilitate movement (and accessibility).”

The LTA will be reviewing the seniors’ feedback from today’s discussions.

Concluding the session, Mrs Teo said: “Our seniors are living longer, and we want them to be able to enjoy this longevity as much as possible. It will be useful to look at the public transport system from the seniors’ standpoint. We want to know their views, and make it easy and enjoyable (for their) public transport journeys.”