CARE Ride @ South West 2022

Mayor Low, SPS Baey and Ms Janet Ang joined seniors and young volunteers on a bus ride to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange Source: Ministry of Transport

Ms Low Yen Ling, Mayor of South West District; Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport; and Ms Janet Ang, Chairperson, Public Transport Council and Caring SG Commuters Committee, joined nine seniors from REACH Senior Centre @ Bukit Gombak Vista and 28 volunteers on a bus ride to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange on a Saturday afternoon under the CARE Ride @ South West initiative. This event is jointly organised by Caring SG Commuters Committee, Public Transport Council and South West Community Development Council.

A student from Lianhua Primary School assisting an elderly from REACH Senior Centre @ Bukit Gombak Vista to board the bus as part of the role-playing activities. Source: Ministry of Transport

At the bus interchange, participants took part in role-playing activities where senior commuters learnt how they can commute in a safe and pleasant manner, and volunteers learnt how they can help the vulnerable commuters.

A student from Lianhua Primary School assisting an elderly from REACH Senior Centre @ Bukit Gombak Vista to get to a seat on the bus as part of the role-playing activities. Source: Public Transport Council

The involvement of these young and adult volunteers ties back to the aim of the event which hopes to encourage inter-generational bonding among commuters. The younger generation also learnt to be more aware and mindful of senior commuters in their midst. 

This year’s CARE Ride @ South West saw an expanded list of partners. Besides seniors from REACH Senior Centre @ Bukit Gombak Vista and students from Lianhua Primary School, we were joined by volunteers from BNP Paribas Singapore, Bukit Gombak EAGLES Interact Club, Rotaract Club of Bukit Gombak, Bukit Gombak Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Hillview Community Club Management Committee.

Seniors from REACH Senior Centre @ Bukit Gombak Vista and students from Lianhua Primary School learnt about the inclusivity features at the bus interchange such as Heart Zone. Source: Ministry of Transport

The seniors and volunteers ended the day by going on a guided tour conducted by Tower Transit Singapore staff to learn about inclusivity features (e.g. priority boarding and Heart Zone) and wayfinding tips. The staff also shared with the seniors on how they can seek assistance if they needed help at the bus interchange.

Everyone can play a part in making our commuting journey more joyful and purposeful.