Accessible buses for the disabled and the elderly

Zhang Jian and Tom Qian

TEN more barrier-free elec-tric buses are added on Jiading Bus Line 14, which has a large number of elderly passengers, to make it more convenient for the physically-disabled to commute.

Barrier-free facilities are installed both at the door-steps and the seating areas to make it easier for handi-capped people to get on board.

A resident sur-named Shao took the Line 14 by wheelchair, and the bus driver helped her board the bus and fix the wheelchair with a seat belt.

“i am not willing to go out by myself before because getting on and off the bus requires at least two people to help, which is trouble-some,” Shao said. “But now it feels good and safe, and i can go out alone,” Shao added.

After renovation, the floor of the bus is at the same height as the platform of bus stations, making it more con-venient for passengers to get on and off the buses.

“The driver can also con-trol the incline angle of the bus, which makes it easier for the elderly, disabled and people with special needs to get on and off the bus. it is also safer,” Mao xiaoming, a staff at the Jiading New Town Station, said.

The facilities will be ex-panded to Jiading Route 9 and other lines soon.