Physical Disability

Accessibility and Transport

Accessibility in Singapore

Singapore's infrastructure has improved tremendously over the years. Expressways, the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT), the Light Rail Transit (LRT), public buses, taxis, and an elaborate road system link people and places in a world class city.

A world-class city with a world-class transportation system has to be catered for all people groups, including people with disability.

There are certain points to take note of for the safety and convenience of people with physical disability when they are taking public transport.

Public Buses:
- Difficulty in getting to bus stops, as some bus stops may not be accessible.
- Difficulty in boarding and alighting from the buses, though the situation is improving with bus companies lowering the bus floors
Taxis:
- For wheelchair-users, not all taxis have wheelchair accommodation facilities or hydraulic lifts. One has to contact the taxi companies to book wheelchair-friendly taxis. The following companies have wheelchair-friendly taxis:
  
  TIBS Taxis
  6 Ang Mo Kio St 62
  Singapore 569140
  Tel : 6369 0111
  Fax : 6369 3639
  To book a TIBS taxi, please call 6555 8888
  
  Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd
  383 Sin Ming Drive
  Gas Building
  Singapore 575717
  Tel : 6555 1188
  Fax : 6452 7742
  To book a 'Comfort' Taxi, please call 6552 1111
  
  Yellow Top Cab Pte Ltd
  383 Sin Ming Drive
  Gas Building
  Singapore 575717
  Tel : 6555 1188
  Fax : 6452 7742
  To book a Yellow Top Cab, please call 6552 1111
  
  CityCab Pte Ltd
  Customer Relations Department
  600 Sin Ming Ave
  Singapore 575733
  Customer Service Hotline: 6452 0220
  Fax : 6552 7882
MRT:
- SMRT is currently upgrading all its stations to make them accessible to people with disability and other mobility constraints. All stations would be fitted with passenger lifts by 2005.
- The stations on the newer northeast line are designed with disabled friendly features such as braille, tactile flooring and passenger lifts.
  
  Should you have any enquiry or suggestion, please contact the following:
  
  Land Transport Authority
  Quality Service Manager
  460 Alexandra Road
  #28-00 PSA Building
  Singapore 119963
  Tel : 1800 - 276 5751
  Fax : 6375 7179
ACCESS SINGAPORE

The guidebook, Access Singapore, is jointly published by National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) and supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB). When it was first published in 1981, it was to provide a list of public places and buildings that were accessible for people with disabilities. This list has expanded over the years with rapid developments taking place in Singapore. However extensive, the booklet only captures the main areas in Singapore that the general public would frequent.

Please click on the following link to download the booklet in pdf format :

ACCESS SINGAPORE (1998 Edition)

1.32MB, 34 pages, PDF Format.
Approximate download time is 1 min 15 sec.
To download, just right-click on your mouse and click 'Save target as...'
Save the document in a folder and after a complete download, you can view and print the booklet for reference.
You would require Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print the file. If you do not have the reader, you can download it for free at http://www.acrobat.com
Private transport services
- Some Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO) provide private transport services for both their members and the public. The service provides transport for persons with disabilities to hospital visits, work, etc. For more information, please contact the following:
  
  Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA)
  
  16 Whampoa Drive
  Singapore 327725
  Tel : 6254 3006
  Fax : 6253 7375
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
- The National Council of Social Service provides subsidy to persons with disability from low-income families who cannot travel to school or work other than by taxi. For more information, please click on the link below:
Car Park Labels for People with Disabilities
- Parking labels are issued to physically disabled persons (or whose multiple disabilities include physical disability) who drive their own vehicles as well as family members who transport them to places of regular activity outside the home.
Waiver of Additional Registration Fee (ARF) and Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
- The Land Transport Authority (LTA) administers a scheme to assist disabled persons who need assistance to buy a car to earn a living. Disabled persons can apply for waiver of additional ARF and requirement of a COE in respect of the registration of a car for their personal use.