SMRT to Turn 17 MRT Stations & 5 Bus Interchanges Into Community Care Hubs

On Monday (26 Apr), transport operator SMRT announced that it is transforming its transport nodes into care centres in order to better cater to people in need, in an initiative titled the Go-To SMRT initiative. 

17 MRT stations and five bus interchanges have been identified as dementia go-to points. These locations allow the community to learn more about dementia and they can also be linked to dementia-related services if need be. 

At the moment, there are more than 200 dementia go-to points across Singapore. 

According to Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, chief executive officer of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), MRT stations and bus interchanges are both convenient and accessible, making it easy for those with dementia to seek assistance. 

SMRT staff will also undergo training over the next two years to be able to manage a variety of situations, such as delivering first aid and searching for lost children. 

So the next time you accidentally lose your little sibling, don’t panic—simply turn to one of these transport nodes for assistance. (But please try not to make losing your siblings a habit.)

Crucially, SMRT staff will be trained with knowledge on how to help those with dementia and keep a lookout for them. 

SMRT is working with organisations such as AIC, the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA), and Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) to incorporate scenario-based training into the curriculum of SMRT’s frontline staff. 

In this way, MRT stations and bus interchanges are turned into community care hubs, ready to help anyone in need of assistance. 

Additionally, SMRT will be implementing QR codes within the 17 selected train stations and bus interchanges in what will come to be known as a digital concierge service. 

Upon scanning the QR codes, travellers will be able to access maps featuring all the amenities in the area, as well as check train and bus timings, alongside other travel information. 

The chairman of SMRT Corporation, Seah Moon Ming, said that this new initiative will be implemented with “great respect, empathy, humility and care”. 

If you’re wondering whether your nearest MRT station/bus interchange will be included in this new initiative, refer to the list below. 

Here are the 17 MRT stations involved: 

• Jurong
• Yishun
• Simei
• Novena
• Kent Ridge 
• Aljunied
• Bugis
• Kembangan
• Lakeside
• Lavender
• Paya Lebar
• Redhill
• Queenstown
• Ang Mo Kio
• Buona Vista 
• Bishan 
• Canberra

Here are the five bus interchanges involved: 

• Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub
• Yishun Integrated Transport Hub
• Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange
• Sembawang Bus Interchange
• Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange

Feature Image: Facebook (SMRT)