The six-month trial allowing wheelchair users and parents with strollers to use bus wheelchair spaces on a first-come, first-served basis ended on Monday (26 October).
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is assessing feedback and considering clearer guidance for sharing the space, Lianhe Zaobao reported, citing LTA’s Facebook update on 31 October.
The trial began in April 2026 and covered about 10 bus services. Its findings helped LTA understand the difficulties faced by wheelchair users and families with young children.
LTA added that it is still looking at ways to better manage the shared space and give passengers clearer guidance, and it has invited the public to sign up online for dialogue sessions to share their views.
What the Trial Tested
Under the “First to Board, First to Use” trial, wheelchair users and parents travelling with children in strollers could use the designated bay based on who boarded first.
Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow explained in an August parliamentary reply that, under the usual practice, bus captains ask passengers occupying the bay to make room for wheelchair users. This can include asking caregivers to fold strollers when it is safe and practical.
However, some caregivers have difficulty folding their strollers. Bus captains are trained to assess these situations and seek advice from their operations centre when needed.
In a separate reply on 7 October, Mr Siow said the trial aimed to address situations where someone already using the bay could not practically give way to a passenger about to board.
Wheelchair Users’ Experiences Form Part of the Review
In September, Mr Siow said there had been three reported cases, as of August 2026, in which wheelchair users could not board because the bay was occupied.
Before the trial, LTA consulted SG Enable, the Handicaps Welfare Association and SPD. It subsequently received further feedback from disability groups and parents with young children.
Mr Siow said in October that LTA would consider feedback from these groups alongside the effects on bus captains’ duties before deciding the next steps.
More Bays Also Mean Fewer Seats
Bus design is another part of the discussion.
Mr Siow said newer buses have two wheelchair bays, with foldable seats that other passengers can use when the bays are free.
Even with those seats, the buses have fewer seats overall than older models. The ministry has said it will continue exploring designs that accommodate different groups of passengers.
