The 200 new Penang public buses to be purchased as announced recentlyby the state government must be accessible without exception, to absolutely everyone.

The newly formed Bus Negeri Pulau Pinang (BNPP), a state government-incorporated company is finalising plans on which type of buses to buy, either 10-metre long or 12-metre long buses.

If the state government is really serious about providing a reliable public transport system on the island, it is essential that these new buses (irrespective of their length) are of a type which are easily and safely accessible to all.

By all I mean everyone, the fit and well of all ages, the disabled in wheel chairs, those with walking difficulties, the blind, the deaf, Little People, the elderly and infirm, pregnant ladies, mothers with babies in pushchairs, etc.

I sincerely hope that BNPP has for tendered buses which are indeed accessible to all, otherwise these new buses will bring nothing but shame to Penang, just as the new but inaccessible RapidKL buses have brought great shame to Kuala Lumpur.

The writer is secretary, Support Group Society for the Blind of Malaysia and Aid spokesperson .