Chinese Netizen Surprised That People Are Allowed To Ride PMAs On The MRT: “Singapore Shocked Me”

A Xiaohongshu user was recently waiting to board the train at Somerset MRT station when she came across a sight that left her bamboozled.

When the train arrived, she saw a man entering the cabin, operating his electric wheelchair and parking it at the designated wheelchair space — a sight most locals wouldn’t bat an eyelid at.

However, the woman, who appears to hail from China, thought this was out of the ordinary, and posted a video of it and captioned: “Singapore shocked me.”

When a netizen asked what the problem was, the woman replied: “I’m very curious as to how he’s [allowed to] 'drive' the 'car' on to the MRT train.”

She was quickly informed by others that the device the man was seated on, though electronically-powered, is still considered a wheelchair.

According to Singapore’s regulations, personal mobility aids (PMAs) like motorised wheelchairs are allowed on public transport as long as they meet LTA’s restrictions, which include not exceeding the size limit of 70cm in width, 120cm in length, and 150cm in height.

While some people left callous comments like “why are Singaporeans too lazy to walk”, they were schooled by others who stated that the people using PMAs would have had their disabilities certified by a doctor.

“If the device is not allowed on public transport, there will be signs displayed to inform passengers, and LTA staff will also step in to inform said passengers. If the man was not denied entry, that means there’s no issue,” explained a netizen.

There were also those who praised our country’s efforts on making public transport more accessible for those with mobility issues.

“Singapore’s accessibility features are extremely well thought-out, there are lifts and wheelchair-accessible routes everywhere,”  commended one netizen, while another added: “Singapore is a very thoughtful country.”

The woman’s video ended with a snippet of two other passengers parked in the wheelchair spaces on their PMAs.

She was labelled as “attention-seeking” in one comment, but quickly reiterated she was “simply curious”, having seen PMAs in train cabins for the first time.

Well, now she knows.