As part of our effort to create a more inclusive transport system, SMRT Buses has 245 wheelchair accessible buses (WABs), with plans to increase this number in the coming years. The WAB services are distinguished with a blue icon of a passenger-in-wheelchair displayed at the front of the bus. Two large decals are also placed at the front doors of WAB services advising other passengers to be patient while our Bus Captain serves the passenger-in-wheelchair first. Each WAB service can accommodate 1-2 passengers-in-wheelchair.
A passenger-in-wheelchair can locate the special boarding berth at the interchange by following directional signs with the blue icon of passenger-in-wheelchair. Upon reaching the special boarding berth, the passenger should use the call button to speak to interchange staff for assistance. The passenger should indicate which WAB service he wishes to board, and staff would assist him to board the bus when it calls at the berth.
The commuter will be able to board the bus with the help of our Service Leader. Our Service Leader will do the following:
(a) Stop the bus closer to the kerb at the bus stop
(b) Allow other passengers on board to alight first
(c) Bring down the ramp at the exit door for the passenger-in-wheelchair to board the bus
(d) Ensure passenger-in-wheelchair is secured in his seat
(e) Help the passenger-in-wheelchair to tap his ez-link card or slot the fare into the coin box before stowing the ramp to its original position
The Service Leader will then open the front door to allow other passengers to board the bus, and continue the journey.
We seek the cooperation of passengers on board to make space for the passenger-in-wheelchair. We also seek the understanding of our passenger-in-wheelchair to wait for the next WAB should the bus be too crowded to board.
He/she should press the blue button located at the left hand side bar in the bus.
No. Due to safety reasons, please seek help from our Bus Captains who will operate the ramp for passengers-in-wheelchairs when boarding or alighting.
Each of our WAB can accommodate two passengers-in-wheelchair. For safety reasons, we seek the understanding of the third passenger-in-wheelchair to wait for the next WAB. As far as it is operationally possible, we will ensure that every alternate bus on a WAB service is wheelchair accessible.
More than 90 per cent of the bus stops along the WAB service routes are wheelchair accessible.
Yes, our WABs may ply non-WAB service routes. Look out for the blue icon of a passenger-in-wheelchair displayed at the front of the bus. These decals will be removed from a WAB that is running on a non-WAB service route. There are a few ways that passengers can find out more about SMRT WAB services.
At the bus interchanges, refer to information available, ask our bus interchange staff for assistance or proceed directly to the special boarding berth by following the blue icon.
Typically, it takes about four minutes for a Bus Captain to assist a passenger-in-wheelchair to board or alight from the bus. We appeal to commuters on board and at the bus stop waiting to board the bus to be patient while our Bus Captain attends to the passenger-in-wheelchair.
Bus schedules will not be affected as we have made provisions for passenger-in-wheelchair activities. However, we appeal for understanding that if passenger activities are heavier than usual, slight delays may occur.
The ramp in our WAB is designed specifically to accommodate passengers-in-wheelchairs. As our WABs are designed with low floor boards, they should be able to accommodate the needs of commuters with prams or trolleys without the need to use the ramp. We seek the understanding of our passengers to ensure that their prams or trolleys are folded and stored away properly so that they do not block the bus aisle.
The new WABs have a low floorboard and flat surface in the front portion to facilitate the boarding of passengers-in-wheelchairs. Our WABs are also designed with a kneeling device that can lower the front entrance of the bus or the whole bus, making it easier for the elderly and less mobile to board.
Due to the design of such low floorboard buses, it is necessary to include a step at the rear of the bus to accommodate the engine compartment. We would like to assure you that our buses are in compliance with the necessary regulations and have undergone stringent checks.