Mind the gap and fill it with kindness! At LTA, we’re closing the gap between passengers with more empathy and care.

Need a seat, a bit of assistance, or just a smile on a rainy Monday morning? Our public transport system offers a slew of features that make inclusivity more than just a buzzword.

You’ve seen Move-in Martin encourage others to move in and make space on the trains, and you’re probably familiar with Stand-Up Stacey, who willingly gives up her seat to those in need. These characters, part of the Thoughtful Bunch, are a reminder of how each of us has a part to play in making our commuting culture a kinder one.

While the Thoughtful Bunch’s loveable characters nudge us daily in the direction of being kind to each other, LTA too is doing its part — continuously upgrading features within public transport to make journeys safer, easier and more inclusive for all.

Here’s how:
 

#1 By making it welcoming for those with different needs

That’s right – from MRTs to buses, kindness is officially on board. With initiatives like the “Helping Hand” Scheme, it's now easier than ever to lend a hand (or get one) during your daily commute. Think of it as a little nudge – or from a friendly fellow passenger – saying, “You’ve got this!”

These initiatives have been introduced to accommodate the different needs that commuters may have, so public transport isn’t just accessible, but welcoming as well. 

A New Universal “Helping Hand” Card

Did you know? In May 2025, we have a new universal “Helping Hand” card to allow commuters to write their request for help on the back of the card. This card was specially designed to aid commuters who may be seeking personalised assistance from transport staff and fellow commuters as their needs may not be covered by the 3 existing cards.

It can take courage to reach out and ask for assistance, but with the “Helping Hand” scheme, you won’t have to. Simply swing by a Passenger Service Centre or selected SimplyGo ticket offices for the lanyards and cards to meet your needs: The “May I have a seat please” for commuters with hidden health conditions, the “This is a wheelchair” for those with paediatric wheelchairs, the “Please alert me when I am approaching my stop” for those who need the bus captain’s assistance to know when their destination is near, and the new universal “Helping Hand” card for commuters who require personalised support

No cape, no mask, just a lanyard and a little courage to ask.

Space for strollers, wheelchairs and personal mobility aids

It’s one thing to build ramps, lifts and escalators for strollers, wheelchairs and those with personal mobility aids to access public transport, but once they board, where do they go without blocking the way? This might have been a problem in the past, but not anymore with designated spaces on buses and trains!

Family-friendly facilities

There are plenty of ways to make it easier for you to bring your brood on public transport. Highlights include having baby care rooms, diaper changing stations and child-friendly wash basins along interchange stations at the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), MRT interchanges at Caldecott and Marina Bay stations, integrated transport hubs such as Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Pasir Ris and Joo Koon, as well as bus interchanges including Tengah, Tampines, Woodleigh and the upcoming Punggol Coast— so parents with babies, we’ve got your back!

#2 By making transport nodes barrier free

More ramps and less stairs are no doubt one way to make public transport more accessible for others, but designing the infrastructure to be barrier-free goes beyond lifts and escalators. Little details and new features can make a world of a difference for commuters!

Hearing Enhancement System

If it’s tough for you to catch the announcements made in train stations, especially during rush hour, then imagine how it is for those with hearing aids!

To help them out, Hearing Enhancement Systems (HES) have been installed at Passenger Service Centres in all Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations. This technology can significantly reduce background noise, improving overall sound quality and speech clarity to the hearing aid users. The plan is for all MRT stations to have this feature in the future.

Braille and tactile for wayfinding

You might have noticed the strips and studs lining the ground at public transport nodes. These help the visually impaired to navigate through the throngs of people to their next destination.

Now, we’ve taken it further: At TEL stations, braille and embossed text can also be found on the handrails of public staircases, ramps, and toilet signs to simplify wayfinding. These, too, will be rolled out to more areas over time.

Priority queues zones

It’s easy when you’re young and fit as a fiddle to squeeze through hordes of people and bag your spot on the next bus. But what about seniors, expectant mothers, families with young children and commuters with disabilities?

That’s what priority queue zones are for: To offer designated spaces to help those who need it the most. These zones are currently found at selected bus interchanges to facilitate boarding of buses, with plans to progressively extend this to all bus interchanges in time too — complete with seats for added comfort!

#3 By keeping an eye out for your safety

Last but not least, besides increasing accessibility at public transport nodes, we’ve also put effort into making the overall commuting experience safer — whether you choose to walk, cycle or ride.

Silver Zones

Did you know that since 2014, residential areas with a high proportion of seniors have been designated as Silver Zones? This means the area has a reduced speed limit, longer green-man timings and more barrier-free crossings, so it’s safer to move about on foot. To date, we’ve developed over 40 Silver Zones and the goal is to complete all 50 by end-2025.

Friendly Streets

Just as Silver Zones make our streets safer for the elderly, Friendly Streets will do the same for the elderly, families, children, whether pedestrians and cyclists alike. At areas with Friendly Streets, expect raised pedestrian crossings, wider and more accessible footpaths and traffic-calming features so you can walk and cycle with ease. All towns will host Friendly Streets by 2030, so check out how Friendly Streets are Coming to Your Hood’ in the meantime to find out more!

Dementia Go-To points

Singapore’s well on its way to becoming a “super-aged” society, where over 21 per cent of the population is over the age of 65. This makes it likely there’ll be an increase in the number of people with dementia, making Dementia Go-To points — safe places for members of the public to bring people who may seem lost and unable to find their way home — an extremely welcome feature. Now, all public transport nodes are Go-To points!

So the next time you tap in, take a moment to look around – someone might need a little help… or just a little kindness. Either way, Singapore’s public transport is making space for both.

Be sure to share this article with your family and friends!