Debated in Parliament on 4 Feb 2025.
Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Transport (a) since October 2022, what feedback has LTA received from users of the Caring SG Commuter lanyard and card for commuters with invisible medical conditions and disabilities; (b) whether the Ministry tracks if these commuters experienced acts of kindness while on public transport in the past two years; (c) if not, how is the Ministry tracking the effectiveness of this initiative; and (d) how will the Ministry allocate resources to raise awareness and encourage building a kinder public transport culture.
The "Helping Hand" initiative provides an alternative means for commuters to get assistance from their fellow travellers, using a lanyard with a card that describes their needs. As of 30 November 2024, more than 15,000 lanyards and cards have been distributed and feedback has been positive.
Based on a survey conducted in 2024, 90% of respondents agreed that the scheme would encourage commuters to show more care towards others and remind them that there are commuters who need assistance even if they do not show outward signs of needing help. Among the respondents, 42% of surveyed card holders agreed that the scheme has helped or benefited them personally. The Caring SG Commuters Committee and Land Transport Authority will continue to seek feedback on how we can refine the scheme to build a kinder public transport culture.
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