The Transport Department is working with bus operators to improve vehicle access for the disabled, particularly on hospital routes.
Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung told the Legislative Council today the department is liaising with bus operators over the feasibility of providing two wheelchair parking spaces in the bus compartments of certain routes, such as hospital routes.
"In doing so, due consideration would need to be given to whether the existing models can fit more than one wheelchair parking space, and the impact on the number and location of priority seats," he said.
"As the use of wheelchair-accessible low-floor franchised buses is increasingly common, the department is studying with franchised bus companies the feasibility of using such buses, equipped with other facilities or arrangements that can facilitate passengers, for example additional handrails, to provide new services or enhance existing services to and from public hospitals."
Subject to the findings, he said the arrangements can be implemented in about two years.
Meanwhile, a search will be conducted to find minibuses that can carry wheelchair-bound passengers like large buses can.
"If such models can be identified, a trial can be carried out to determine the feasibility of putting them to serve suitable routes. This exercise will be conducted in tandem with the review of the role and positioning of public light buses under the Public Transport Strategy Study... expected to be completed by mid-2017."
