Measures to Ensure Safe Evacuation of Persons Using Mobility Aids during Train Breakdowns

65 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Transport in situations of train breakdowns and the potential necessity for passengers to evacuate via the rail tracks, what measures are in place to ensure the safety of persons who are dependent on mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, during evacuations.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: During a detrainment, the rail operator will deploy staff to assist commuters to evacuate safely to the nearest station, focusing on those with special mobility needs. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel will also be on site, and stretchers will be used to evacuate wheelchair users as the maintenance walkway beside the running tracks is not wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

The operators conduct regular detrainment exercises with the Land Transport Authority and SCDF, and these exercises include detraining commuters in wheelchairs. The most recent exercise was held in December 2016.