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Public transport subsidy and availability for motorised wheelchair users
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry will consider expanding the Taxi Subsidy Scheme or introducing additional measures to cap surcharges, so that motorised wheelchair users who need to travel for purposes other than to school, work or employment-related training when public transport is unavailable have more affordable travel options; and (b) whether the Ministry has studied models from cities such as New York and Dubai where wheelchair-accessible transport services operate round the clock at standard taxi or ride-hailing fares for persons with disabilities.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Point-to-point and private transport operators offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles, including those specially retrofitted with ramps to accommodate motorised wheelchairs, to meet the travel needs of persons with disabilities (PwDs). PwDs who rely on such wheelchair-accessible vehicles for their essential transport needs can tap on various financial assistance schemes, such as the Taxi Subsidy Scheme and the Enabling Transport Subsidy Scheme, administered by SG Enable.
The Land Transport Authority will continue to work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the operators to explore ways to make point-to-point transport more accessible to passengers with diverse needs.
Take-up and subsidy rates for vaccines listed in National Adult Immunisation Schedule
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health (a) from 2020 to 2024, what is the take-up rate for vaccines listed in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule; and (b) whether there are plans to increase Government subsidies for these vaccines to improve the overall take-up rate.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The uptake for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations recommended in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) has been on a steady rise in recent years. For pneumococcal vaccination, the uptake among residents aged 65 and above increased from 22% in 2020 to 61% in 2024. The uptake for influenza vaccination in the same age group also increased from 18% to 42% over the same period.
There is already substantial financing support for vaccines in the NAIS. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are free for eligible HealthierSG enrollees, and other Singaporeans receive subsidies between 50% and 87.5%. MediSave may also be used to further reduce out-of-pocket costs at CHAS GP clinics and polyclinics.
