26 May 2016
A bus operator is proposing the country’s first ever airport express service that is also disabled-friendly.
Equipped with a wheelchair ramp and nine seats on the bottom deck reserved for disabled, the double-decker buses will service the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), klia2 and KL Sentral transit hub.
Mhasnor Trans Premier Sdn Bhd hopes to operate the service and plans to charge a disabled passenger RM5.50each way.
The top deck will be for regular passengers who will pay RM11 each per trip.
Any seat on the bottom deck, if not occupied by a disabled person, can be used by pregnant or infirm passengers and the aged.
An employee will be stationed on each bus to help load baggage and guide passengers to seats.
Mhasnor Group founder Datuk Mohd Hasnor Mahmud said the service was still at the planning stage and that he was discussing it with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and Road Transport Department.
He expressed his hope to get the green light.
“In other countries public transport for the disabled is common and this is something that is also needed here.
“With so many travellers coming into KLIA and klia2 every year, we can be the first to offer them cheap transportation,” he said.
Mhasnor Trans Premier plans for 10 buses on the route, with a maximum waiting time of 30 minutes between buses.
Also at a meeting between Mhasnor Trans Premier and SPAD yesterday was Society of the Orthopaedically Handicapped Malaysia secretary-general Miskan Kasiman who welcomed the proposed service.
He said the Express Rail Link, which charged even disabled people RM38 for a one-way trip, was pricey, especially for those without a steady income.
Hopefully, the express bus service fare will always be low, he said.
He also added that being able to get on and off the vehicle easily would also be a good thing for the disabled.
An application for a licence to operate the service was made on May 23 to SPAD which has yet to make a comment.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
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