The Star Online
Published: Thursday April 15, 2010 MYT 9:06:00 PM
Updated: Thursday April 15, 2010 MYT 9:07:04 PMMore KTM Komuter stations to have facilities for the disabled
by CHRISTINA TAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Access for the disabled will be improved in 10 more KTM Komuter stations, at an estimated cost of RM20mil, under the 10th Malaysian Plan.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the Government was determined to ensure sufficient public transportation facilities for the physically-challenged group.
The stations are Kepong, Batu Tiga, Klang, UKM, Bangi, Kuala Lumpur, Tanjung Malim, Putra, Nilai and Padang Jawa.
Upgrades to five stations – Bandar Tasik Selatan, Serdang, Shah Alam, Rawang and Sungai Buloh – were near completion, he added.
A total of RM10mil was allocated under the Ninth Malaysian Plan to build lifts, ramps for wheelchairs, special toilets and parking lots at these five stations, he said.
Ong said the upgrading project was being extended to other public transportations such as airlines and bus services.
“I was also on wheelchair before and I know how they feel and need for the facilities,” he said, after visiting Sungai Buloh and Serendah Komuter stations Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ong said the ministry was also exploring the possibility of modifying existing railway tracks in the country to accommodate high-speed trains.
He said existing tracks, suitable for trains running at not more than 140kph, were too narrow for high-speed trains that could reach between 320kph and 350kph.
Pendapat: Nampaknya kerajaan kita sudah semakin prihatin akan nasib golongan kurang upaya. Hari demi hari, kita pasti mendengar liputan media berkenaan masalah-masalah yang dialami golongan OKU. Baguslah, satu pencapaian yang semakin baik untuk negara kita.
Tidak kisah, siapa yang memerintah. Asalkan minda masyarakat semakin terbuka dan ilmu dalam dada semakin banyak, sudah cukup baik.
Nampaknya juga KTMB semakin mendapat perhatian pihak kerajaan. Saya amat gembira dengan pengkhabaran ini. Harapan saya agar KTMB terus dibantu bagi memastikan kelangsungan nyawanya seiring dengan penyedia perkhidmatan transit yang lain.