SBS Transit Launches Specialized Inclusivity Training Center to Enhance Commuter Support for Persons with Disabilities

New facility at Seletar Bus Depot uses simulations to train transit staff in assisting commuters with disabilities and improving transport accessibility.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

A Dedicated Hub for Empathetic Transit Service

The inauguration of the Public Transport Inclusivity Training Centre at Seletar Bus Depot represents a significant shift from generic sensitivity training to transport-specific operational readiness. Launched by Land Transport Authority chief executive Ng Lang and Public Transport Council chairperson Janet Ang, the facility is designed to move beyond classroom theory. By integrating realistic physical challenges, the center allows bus drivers and MRT station staff to engage with the actual barriers faced by commuters, such as navigating narrow bus aisles or managing the physical gap between a train and the platform. This hands-on approach is intended to ensure that more than 3,000 transit employees can provide support that is both technically sound and respectfully delivered.

Simulating the Realities of Limited Mobility

The facility’s architecture includes deliberate recreations of the public transport landscape, featuring simulated ramps, stairways, and train platform configurations. These environments allow staff to participate in role-playing exercises, such as navigating the depot blindfolded or using a wheelchair, to gain an immediate understanding of the physical and sensory obstacles encountered by persons with disabilities. Jeffrey Sim, the group chief executive of SBS Transit, noted that for commuters living with dementia or mobility impairments, standard transit hubs can often feel like complex mazes. By experiencing these environments firsthand, frontline workers like senior customer service officer Leslie Yeo are better prepared to anticipate the needs of commuters without causing alarm or discomfort through unprompted physical contact.

Standardizing Best Practices for Visual Impairment

A key component of the new curriculum focuses on the etiquette of assisting visually impaired passengers, emphasizing communication over immediate physical intervention. Trainees are taught to introduce themselves and offer help verbally before touching a commuter, inviting them to hold an arm or shoulder for guidance. This procedural shift aims to prevent the "shock" that can occur when a commuter is grabbed without warning. The training also emphasizes the importance of coordination between stations, ensuring that staff at a passenger's destination are alerted to be on standby, thereby creating a seamless chain...