From April to September 2026, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is piloting a trial that implements a “first to board, first to use” policy for wheelchair users and parents with strollers pertaining to the use of wheelchair bays on public buses.
Currently, wheelchair users have priority to use the wheelchair bay on all public buses in Singapore. However, under this trial, for ten bus routes, wheelchair users do not have priority to use the wheelchair bays – instead both wheelchair users and parents with strollers can use the wheelchair bay and priority goes to whoever arrives at the wheelchair bay first.
While there might have been no poor intention, this is a deeply concerning trial that highlights both a misunderstanding of the importance of wheelchair bays on public buses, and a need for more comprehensive protocols going forward.
The Purpose and Importance of Wheelchair Bays
Firstly, the trial highlights a misunderstanding of the importance of wheelchair bays on public buses. The trial implies and is based on the assumption that wheelchair bays have equal importance to both wheelchair users and parents with strollers. However, this is not the case.
For parents with strollers, while it may at times be inconvenient, it is still possible in most cases for the parent to fold up a stroller. However, for a wheelchair user, it is virtually impossible in almost all cases to fold up one’s wheelchair and find another place to sit.
Ultimately, there is a clear distinction between wheelchair users as a group on the one hand and parents with strollers as a group on the other. The difference being that, for parents with strollers, in the majority of cases, it still does boil down to a matter of preference to use the wheelchair bay. However, for wheelchair users, in virtually all cases, it is not a matter of preference, but a matter of necessity.
There also is a notable difference in terms of alternatives to taking the bus. For wheelchair users who need to remain in their wheelchair for the duration of the journey – a common reality for many wheelchair users – they would require a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV). However, WAVs – whether with taxis or Grabs – are much fewer in terms of availability and costs are usually significantly higher – approx. 2 – 4 times or more for the costs according to some estimates. Such WAVs are also usually accompanied by significantly longer booking and wait times – especially during peak periods of the day. These are considerations and factors that most parents with strollers do not have to consider as most strollers can be folded into everyday vehicles.
Moreover, as we have previously noted, there are few financial supports for disability and WAVs in Singapore. There currently are only two concession schemes in Singapore pertaining to disability and private hire vehicles – and both have highly rigid means-testing requirements – leaving many ineligible. Additionally, both concessions can only be used for very limited purposes of travel – excluding common purposes such as medical appointments.
For wheelchair users, the wheelchair bay on public buses thus represents more than just a space – it represents the sole means of navigating Singapore accessibly and affordably.
To be clear, it is important that LTA seek to optimise ease of travel for parents with strollers – especially for parents with non-apparent energy/mobility limiting disabilities. However, limiting availability of an access need for persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs is not the answer. LTA can seek to redesign buses to ensure both spots for wheelchair users as well as flexible and convertible spaces that can accommodate parents with strollers. While not the intent, a first-to-board first-to-use policy for wheelchair bays on public buses limits, if not significantly limits, a core necessity for wheelchair users to navigate Singapore, while simultaneously not necessarily ensuring parents with strollers will be accommodated during their travel either.
The current trial thus raises significant concerns and LTA should seek to ensure that a “first to board, first to use” policy between wheelchair users and parents with strollers for wheelchair bays on public buses be removed for consideration completely.
Protocols Going Forward
Secondly, the current trial highlights the need for improvement in protocols surrounding how such trials are conceived and implemented in Singapore.
The trial for the ten bus lines was launched and announced on LTA’s social media and communication platforms arguably without sufficient prior consultations with wheelchair users. A number of wheelchair users were caught off guard at the announcement – with some who frequently take one of the ten bus services concerned if they would still be able to attain a space on their regular bus routes in the current six-month period.
Efforts that seek to trial, research, test-pilot or study new initiatives and developments must be inclusive from the get-go. Developments that will impact all Singaporeans should ensure that realities of persons with disabilities are included from the get-go in both design and implementation to not widen inequality for the disability community.
Yet, this is especially the case for trials, research, or test-pilot studies where persons with disabilities are the sole or main group affected.
LTA and other government agencies should seek to establish protocols to strengthen the inclusivity of future trials, research, or test-pilot studies. Such protocols should aim to ensure, for example, that:
- consultations occur before the rollout of any trial, research, or test-pilot study
- such consultations are conducted thoroughly with demographics that are likely to be most affected by the trial, research, or test-pilot study
- the outcomes of any given trial, research, or test-pilot study aim to align Singapore with principles of inclusivity, equity, and sustainability in ways that are aligned with best standards such as that found in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Ultimately, this is a reminder that government agencies should also work towards a public sector and cross-sector partnerships where persons with disabilities are well represented in important positions of decision-making. This is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only consulted, but co-leaders in the development of various structures, infrastructures, and policies embedded throughout our society.
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We appreciate that we and other advocates have had the opportunity to meet with LTA – where we had the chance to share some of these points, and strongly call on LTA to consider such points of concern and recommendation.
