Donaldson Tan

About 30 Singaporeans gathered at Speaker’s Corner last saturday, urging the government and society at large to do more for disabled Singaporeans. This event is part of MARUAH’s campaign titled “Me and My Friend”, to raise public awareness of issues faced by disabled Singaporeans.

The campaign also includes an exhibition at Public Arts Square (Citylink Mall) from 10 December 2009 to 10 January 2010 and a free movie screening at Golden Village (Great World City) on the 14th December 2009.

Former spokeperson of Challengeds’ Alliance Network (CAN), Ravi Philemon, expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress in the public campaign for public transport subsidy for the disabled. Despite the effort of some MPs sending letters to the relevant agencies, nothing has been achieved, he said.

The first public call for subsidised public transport for the disabled dates back as long as 10 years. In 2000, public transport operator SMRT responded by emphasising the need to be “prudent about extending any travel concessions beyond the present eligible groups” because “concession fares are cross-subsidised by full-fare paying passengers with no direct subsidy”. Continue…