General News
Six more ramps ready at kembangan MRT station
BY LOWWEI XIANG
[img][url=http://motoring.asiaone.com/a1media/motoring/04Apr10/images/20100405.082336_ramp.jpg][/alt=Six%20new%20ramps%20at%20Kembangan%20MRT%20station][/img] RESIDENTS with walking difficulties will now find it easier to enter or exit Kembangan MRT station, with six new ramps that have been completed.
These have been put in place under the second phase of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) plan to enhance barrierfree facilities at MRT stations to ensure that they are accessible to all commuters, including the elderly with mobility problems and the disabled.
The first phase of upgrading, carried out between 2003 and 2006, involved putting in at least one barrier-free entrance at 40 stations. Of these, 19 were chosen for more enhancements in the second phase, which began in 2008 and aims to equip more than 70 per cent of the MRT stations here with at least two barrier- free access routes by the end of next year. This will involve building ramps, lifts and covered walkways.
Three stations on the North-East Line - Kovan, Boon Keng and Clarke Quay - will also be upgraded under this phase. Kembangan is the 10th of the 22 stations where upgrading has been completed. Commonwealth is next in line to have such facilities ready for use.
Previously, Kembangan had only one sheltered ramp, constructed in 2003 under the first phase of LTA's plan. Its ramps were constructed over six months at a cost of about $800,000. The LTA decided on their locations after consulting residents.
Two of the ramps lead directly into the MRT station, while the rest are connected to either bus stops or taxi stands around the station. Five of them are sheltered and connect to sheltered walkways which lead to the station.
Dr Ong Seh Hong, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, said: "Having more ramps and shelters makes it better for residents and commuters... as they have more access points into the station."
Mr Chew Lee Teck, chairman of the Lorong Melayu Neighbourhood Committee, a group of residents in the nearby Lorong Melayu estate, added: "Our elderly residents, housewives with shopping trolleys and mothers with prams will benefit most from these enhanced facilities."
Yesterday, the ramps were officially opened with a ceremony and a 10-minute celebratory walk from Lengkong Tiga Residents' Committee Centre to Kembangan MRT station by about 50 Kembangan residents. Madam Chua Mei Fang, 70, who has lived in Kembangan for over 20 years, said that the ramps will benefit old people like herself when she takes the MRT to People's Park Complex or Outram Park to shop.
While she has no problems climbing stairs, her friends complain of knee aches when they have to climb the stairs in the station, she said.
Dr Ong said: "Over the last few years, Singapore has been more aware of having to make our facilities accessible and friendly for everyone to use...which shows we are progressing as a society."
However, "hardware alone is not enough", he said. "We also need graciousness. There would be no point for these ramps if people rush and push the elderly."
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Country: Singapore
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When: 09/4/2010
