VietNamNet Bridge – Two buses designed to be easily accessed by disabled people have gone into operation in HCM City.
The buses have low floors and wide doors and are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Two buses especially designed for people with disabilities have been put into operation in HCM City. (Photo: VOV)
The CNG buses worth VND2 billion (US$96,000) each, will run from An Suong Bus Station to HCM City-based Agriculture and Forestry University.

They are among eight CNG buses imported from South Korea.

Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the city's Transport Department, said public transport in general was not friendly to disabled people.

It was planned that 5 per cent of buses would be disable-friendly by 2020, he said.

Disabled people travel free on buses. Statistics from the Ministry of Transport show the city has nearly 3,000 buses running on 146 routes.

In a related move, the Ministry of Transport announced a circular draft on support for disabled people travelling by public transport.

The draft also regulates that bus stops, ticket desks, emergency exits and toilets must be easily accessible by disabled people.

Under the draft, operators of public transport vehicles must offer seats which are easily accessible by disabled people and help them get on and off the vehicles.

Operators are also encouraged to set up hotlines to receive complaints from disabled people.

Statistics show the country has around 6.7 million people with disabilities, including nearly 90,000 in Ha Noi and 70,000 in HCM City.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News