Meeting with DEP of PWDs regarding accessible facilities on BTS Green Line

28 May 2018
As a chairman, on behalf of Rail System / Transportation For All (T4A) leading by Mr. Theerayuth, to discuss on accessibility problems and plausible solutions regarding the extension of BTS Green Line (Bearing – Sa-mut Pra-karn).

Mr. Jeerasak Sripamma, Deputy Director of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, was the guest of honor who performed as a chairman. The meeting involved other relevant parties as well.

The extension of BTS Green Line (Bearing – Sa-mut Pra-karn) will be an elevated train consisting total of 9 stations. There are provisions of slope and one elevator on both side of the roads. Basically, it is adequate due to the medium-size of the stations (150 meters length). This makes the accessibility from the ground floor up to the upper floor is ‘acceptably good’. The extension is due to open for service within this year of 2018. However, there is a concerning problem, similar to the Purple Line, in which the surrounding area, especially under the stations, still lacks proper development to facilitate the holistic accessibility. In short, they just built the elevators amidst the terrible sidewalk. PWDs would still not be able to get through it to the elevators.

T4A has a good relationship with Ministry of Transport and MRTA from our previous coordinations. Recently, we had a chance to meet with governor of MRTA and Deputy Minister of Transport. They both were a lovely guys. They kept emphasising “PWDs must be able to travel and get access anywhere.”

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is a subset of Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and it has the closest interaction with PWDs. On this occasion, it’s fabulous that they engaged in close connectivity which could provide holistic collaboration between public sector and the people. It’s part of the prime minister’s ambitious plan to enhance relationship with the people as well.

I believe that all problems hide its solutions. Next month, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (who hold the power to originate public transports in Thailand) will address this issue to the Minister of Transport and arrange a meeting with subcommittees and other relevant parties for field-work.

Providing connectivity from the stations to other public transports (ex. Bus station) is not only MRTA’s prime responsibility, it has to deal with the land ownership in surrounding areas from the stations. The Deputy Minister of Transport highlighted this concern many times that it’s not built only for PWDs, it’s built for everyone. I would like to thank all parties. All problems can be resolved nicely with our strong teamwork and sincere efforts.

Please stay tune!