The Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT) Group submitted a memorandum to Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy today, asking for a disabled-friendly public transportation system.

Assistant co-ordinator V Murugeswaran described the meeting as "very satisfactory" and that the minister had responded positively to proposals raised.

"He has promised to launch a platform comprising all transport providers and representatives from BEAT to discuss this in detail," he said.

Representatives of Malaysia Airport Bhd, Air Asia, Rapid KL and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd attended the meeting.

Murugeswaran said the memorandum will fit in with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's recent announcement that the government will allocate RM10 billion to upgrade the transportation system.

Furthermore, the transport ministry is in the midst of preparing a master plan to upgrade the transportation system.

"Having all the transport providers at hand made it convenient for us to voice our plight. In turn, it will be easier for them to discuss (what needs to be done)," he said.

The group's proposals include a request for additional disabled-friendly buses for the disabled community in Kuala Lumpur.

"RapidKL covers most of the main hubs in the city. And it's widely used by disabled people," said Murugeswaran.

"Right now, Rapid KL buses are providing services to almost 900 residential areas, but not all are covered by disabled-friendly buses. This is because not all residential areas have disabled-friendly facilities like bus stops and sidewalks."

The group want Rapid KL to provide at least one disabled-friendly bus to each area.

Other suggestions cover the need for safety features for disabled people in all forms of public transportation, imposing a hefty fine for able-bodied drivers who park in bays reserved for the disabled, and more disabled-friendly bus stops and pavements.

Murugeswaran gave credit to Deputy Finance Minister Ng Yen Yen, for initiating the idea of submitting the memorandum.

"While we were in the midst of negotiation with Rapid KL, a government-owned company under the finance ministry, she contacted us and advised us to deal directly with the transport ministry as it has more power to amend the system," he explained.