Penang to conduct audit on public transport facilities

Penang will be the first state to conduct a full audit of its public transport facilities as it develops a comprehensive blueprint to improve access and mobility for persons with disabilities (PWDs) by 2010.

United Nations Development Programme assistant resident representative (Programme) James George said today that forming the base of the blueprint, the audit would assess accessibility of PWDs to transportation.

"This includes the assessment of buses, taxis, trains, ferries and airplanes as well as facilities at pick-up points, stations and terminals with emphasis on interconnectivity between the different modes of public transport," he said at the launch of the "Transport for Persons with Disabilities — Support of the Development of Accessible Transport in Penang" project here.

The project was launched by state Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

George said the findings of the study would form the basis to develop an accessible public transport improvement master plan.

"Other measures that will be introduced under the project include a public awareness campaign as well as the establishment of a demand responsive door-to-door transport service for PWDs," he said.

He said the two-year pilot project was jointly developed by the Penang Economic Planning Unit and the UNDP with the support of Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to boost the economic and social independence of PWDs.