The Land Transport Authority (LTA) allows PMAs such as mobility scooters in MRT and LRT trains as long as they do not exceed 120cm in length, 70cm in width and 150cm in height. The total weight of the PMA should also not exceed 300kg with the user.
With an ageing population, more and more people (abled and disabled) are expected to use these PMAs inside MRT and LRT trains. However, these days, our trains are often crowded during peak and non-peak hours. Commuters are fighting for space to get in and out of trains with PMA’s users who need to park them near exit doors, posing a safety hazard to commuters. Also, it’s not uncommon to see oversized prams, luggage bags, electric-bicycles inside train cabins. However, there is no enforcement actions seen at all train stations to check objects’ sizes set by LTA. When rail disruptions happened (often during peak-hours), it’s becoming chaotic as commuters rush to get out of the train with oversized PMAs and objects obstructing exit doors inside trains.
It's time that LTA and train operators review this safety topic and implement enforcement actions for commuters boarding with big objects at point of entry into train station. It should not be free-for-all entry but with some checks and controls. If Security Officers stationed inside train stations are not the right resources to execute this check and take enforcement actions, then easily-available technologies (like camera system, AI, sensors, mechanism, etc.) could be deployed at train station’s entry gates. Afterall, we are a smart nation and nothing is impossible with some imagination to improve commuter’s safety.