Travelling on the MRT on a wheelchair on 30 Nov 2012

Here we go again from Woodlands MRT station to Kent Ridge MRT station for Mikaail's medical appointment at NUH.  The ride was generally smooth and including the transfers, took us barely an hour.  Anyhow, I much prefer travelling on the MRT to a cab ride since I do not have to transfer Mikaail from a wheelchair into the taxi and taking him out of the taxi. 

The thing about travelling in the MRT on a wheelchair and having to transfer from one line to another requires a lot of walking as the lifts are usually at the far end of the station.  This is probably due to the lifts being fitted very much after the stations were built.

What we noticed when we get off from the MRT trains, unless you are a regular traveller, you would need to locate the lift signages as these signages were not strategically located.  So we ended walking from one end of the station to the other searching for the lifts!  A point to note is to leave home earlier with ample time for any unforeseen delays due to the additional walking time required due to a wheelchair user.

The Interchange stations are more complicated especially when transferring to and from the Circle Lines.  To get from Jurong East to Buona Vista is a breeze since the stations are on the same platform.  For a wheelchair user, it's a long walk and 2 lift changes to get from Buona Vista to Kent Ridge.

In total, we boarded the trains from the following stations, starting at 9:30 am.

1. Woodlands MRT
2. Jurong East MRT
3. Buona Vista MRT
4. Kent Ridge MRT

Then from NUH, to get to Plaza Singapura, we boarded the trains from

1. Kent Ridge MRT
2. Buona Vista MRT
3. Outram MRT
4. Dhoby Ghaut MRT

and from Plaza Singapura to home in Woodlands, it was a straight forward track.

1. Dhoby Ghaut MRT
2. Woodlands MRT

MRT Ride to NUH

We weren't very sure of which Circle Line station we should change to get to NUH from Woodlands.  Unfortunately, the station staff at Woodlands MRT wasn't very helpful or it wasn't service with a smile!  The service rendered by the hotline staff and the "personal" service is a world of difference!  The last time I contacted the hotline, the staff manning the hotline was more helpful!!  I asked the staff in the Woodlands MRT control station how to get to NUH, he grudgingly said to get off at Kent Ridge station.  Sure.  Wouldn't it make more sense to tell a person how to get there instead?

After asking him how to get there, then he told me that I could get off at Jurong East MRT station then board another train at Buona Vista station then changed to another to get to Kent Ridge.  As I had previously travelled via Bishan MRT to NUH earlier this year, I asked him about this option.  He then said yes, this may be easier!  We need board the MRT towards Bishan station then switch to the Circle Line towards Kent Ridge station.

The ride from Woodlands to NUH was delayed by a couple of seconds at Admiralty Station.  Other than this, it was a pretty smooth ride!  Total travelling time is about an hour, absolutely no rush and adult fare is $2.05 per person.

There was a bit of a walk from Bishan station to Kent Ridge station as we couldn't locate the lift to the circle line transfer!  We need to board the MRT towards Harbour Front to get off at Kent Ridge station.

While looking for the lift, we came across 3 pretty wall tiles and decided to take some photos as we have not seen the other stations with such nice painted walls.

 On our way back from NUH, we had to travel in the opposite direction.  As I didnt take any photos earlier, I decided that I would take a couple of shots to add to my post.  Alas, this time, there was a very conscientious security personnel and also rather rude.  He practically called out loudly and waving his hands "no photos, no photos".  So I asked him why not since we are only taking photos of us against the wall!  He said for security so cannot take photos.  I then asked him if truly it is due to security, why is it there are no signage to say so!  Then he said go upstairs and ask.  Initially I thought of just writing to SMRT but as we ended having to change trains on the same level as the Bishan Control Station, I decided to speak with the customer service to find out more and also to explain to them that since the walls are nicely painted, why cant the passengers take photo against the walls. What security issue is there? I also explained to her that if I had taken photos against their control station as a background, perhaps this could be construed as a security issue.  We are merely appreciating the nicely decorated walls!  I supposed the customer service officer contended with my suggestion and apologize for the blunt manner of the security officer.

MRT Ride on Friday, 18 November 2011

It was a pleasantly smooth trip for us today on the MRT.  Mikaail has 2 medical appointments: one in National University Hospital and the other in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

For a start, I was unaware that the MRT station at NUH is now opened.  My husband, Alex, told me that the station at NUH should have been opened since the Circle Line is now opened.  As I am unfamiliar with the stations, I called SMRT to find out where I should board the trains.

The SMRT operator was quite helpful.  She told me from Woodlands MRT station, I would need to change trains at Jurong East then board the train bound for Buona Vista.  Then from Buona Vista, board the train towards Kent Ridge which is 2 stations away.  Total travelling time was barely an hour and this includes waiting and transfer time.  To board the train to Kent Ridge, we need to walk about for about 5 minutes from Buona Vista station.

As it was offpeak time, there was no rush at all.  The ride was absolutely smooth and manoeuvring in and out of the MRT was a breeze!  I just couldn't believe it.  The fare for each of us from Woodlands MRT to Kent Ridge Station is $1.89!  A taxi ride from Woodlands to NUH would have cost us a lot more!

And one of the other benefits for taking the MRT was there was no need to transfer Mikaail in and out of his wheelchair into taxis.