'Dangerous' PMA rider boarding train at City Hall station 'doesn't even give way to children'
It has become a regular complaint, but are the authorities doing anything about it?
Stomper LCK shared a video of a woman riding a personal mobility aid (PMA) on the train platform in City Hall MRT station on Aug 1.
As the platform doors opened, she was first to board the train followed by other commuters, including young girls in school uniform.
"It is dangerous to others," said the Stomper. "She doesn't even give way to children when they get on the train.
"A PMA that exceeds the specified range should not enter the station."
How have the authorities addressed this issue?
In July, The Straits Times published a letter about PMAs and other large objects on trains posing a safety hazard to commuters.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) replied with a joint statement from LTA Senior Group Director of Public Transport Yeo Teck Guan, SMRT Trains President Lam Sheau Kai and SBS Transit Group CEO Jeffrey Sim.
The statement said:
Since 2017, LTA has mandated a maximum allowable size requirement for PMAs, as well as strollers, wheelchairs, foldable bicycles and other bulky items on public transport. These items must not exceed 120cm in length, 70cm in width and 150cm in height. For PMAs, 150cm cap refers to the floor to the height of the PMA or the user's head, whichever is higher. In addition, the combined weight of the PMA and the user must not exceed 300kg. Information posters displaying these dimensions are placed at the fare gates. The dimensions of these bulky items can be verified against checker floor markings at the areas in front of the fare gates at all stations. This is to assist both station staff and commuters in ensuring compliance with the size regulations. We will work with the public transport operators to step up enforcement against over-sized PMAs and other bulky items that cause obstruction to other commuters. We encourage PMA and wheelchair users to board the train cabins with designated priority boarding areas for the safety and convenience of all passengers. Users who are unfamiliar with the station can approach station staff for assistance. Similarly, we also urge commuters to be mindful of the priority use signs and to give way to users who require it. Together, we can contribute towards a safer and more inclusive public transport experience for everyone.
