A group of NGOs representing the disabled has hit out at the government’s plan to replace feeder buses with Grab cars to ferry MRT users.

The Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport (Beat) group coordinator Christine Lee said it is the duty and responsibility of the government to give due consideration to the poor and marginalised groups who may depend solely on public transport to move around.

She said affordability is a major concern and the current fare for the feeder bus service is RM1 per trip, with discounts for senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities, while Grab fares can go as high as six to ten times more and even higher especially during peak hours.

“To persons with disabilities, in addition to affordability, accessibility is a major concern.

“At present moment, all the feeder buses are wheelchair friendly, equipped with features such as ramps, dedicated spaces and special alert buttons, among others,” she said in a statement today.

Last week, political secretary to the finance minister Tony Pua was reported as saying that the government is in talks with homegrown e-hailing company Grab to provide complementary transport services to commuters.

- Bernama