LCQ5: Public transport for the mobility-handicapped

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Following is a question by the Hon Ho chung-tai and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (May 22):

Question :

Regarding the difficulties encountered by the mobility-handicapped persons in using public transport, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) the MTR Corporation Limited and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation have provided facilities for such persons to assist them in travelling on MTR or KCR trains, including access to and exit from stations above or below ground level; if so, of the details;

(b) apart from the Rehabus service operated by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, are there any other transport services specially provided for such persons; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will consider providing such additional services; and

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) All stations of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and MTR Corporation Ltd (MTRCL) have facilities for mobility-handicapped persons to facilitate them to travel on East Rail or MTR trains. Facilities provided include wheelchair aids, stair lifts for some stations, ramps or passenger lifts, wide gates and multi-use space in train compartments. For Light Rail, KCRC has provided access ramps at the Light Rail stops and designated space for wheelchair users in Light Rail vehicles.

The two railway corporations are committed to exploring opportunities to improve their facilities to facilitate the use of railways by mobility-handicapped persons. For example, KCRC will install wide flap gates at East Rail stations and the new railways such as West Rail. It will also progressively introduce gangplanks to facilitate wheelchair users in boarding and alighting trains. For MTRCL, it has embarked on a station improvement project which will include the installation of new facilities such as lifts to further enhance the accessibility to the stations by mobility-handicapped persons.

(b) Apart from the Rehabus services run by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, mobility-handicapped persons also receive transport services and support through centre-based transportation subvented by the Social Welfare Department. At present, there are 31 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Rehabilitation Sector running altogether 142 centre-based vehicles to provide transportation services to mobility-handicapped persons who are their clients. In addition, Social Welfare Department also provides subvention to NGOs to run commercial-hired transport to 276 clients attending day rehabilitation services. The demand for Rehabus services is now closely monitored by the Rehabus Management Committee and the Users' Liaison Group. If necessary, Transport Department will look into the situation and bid for fund to procure additional vehicles to meet the increase in demand. In fact, over the past five years, the Rehabus fleet has grown from 74 to 85 vehicles. For 2002/03, two additional vehicles will be procured.

Our policy objective is to develop a transport system which includes provisions to meet the needs of the disabled so as to enhance their mobility and to facilitate their full participation and integration into the community. To meet this objective, we have secured the cooperation of franchised operators of different modes of public transport, in particular bus companies, to extend the provision of accessible facilities for the disabled in a progressive manner.

(c) Drivers with mobility handicap are given concessions including vehicle licence fee concession, exemption of duty on fuel oil up to 200 litres per month and free tickets for government tunnels etc.

Apart from that, we do not provide direct travel subsidy to people with mobility handicap. However, disabled persons may apply for disability allowance which is intended to cover their special needs in daily life.

End/Wednesday, May 22, 2002

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