BMA sued over lack of lifts for handicapped at Skytrain stations

The group, some in wheelchairs, gathered at four MRT subway stations yesterday before taking the subway to the Civil Court to file the suit against the BMA. They claim that city officials failed to comply with an Administrative Court judgement to build lifts for handicapped people and those who need special help in all Skytrain stations.
They are seeking compensation of Bt1,000 per person per day.
Manit Inpim, co-organiser of the Transport for All Foundation, said they had tracked the operation to install lifts in BTS stations for two years and had found that the BMA had not made satisfactory progress.
“We want to ask for our rights to access to public transport equally with everyone, as until now we cannot use the BTS Skytrain because the stations have not had lifts installed and people who use wheelchairs cannot get up to the station,” Manit said.
“This is a violation of our rights and the rights of all people who may have to use the lift one day. Therefore, we have to protect our rights by suing the BMA to ensure that the agency will comply with the Administrative Court judgement two years ago.”
The group previously won a case with the BMA and the Administrative Court ordered it to install a lift in every BTS station within one year from the judgement - by January 2016.
When the deadline was reached, the BMA asked for it to be extended to September 2016. However, the installation is still incomplete.
One participant, Chayathon Chanachokchaikul, said he had faced many difficulties, as he cannot use the Skytrain because he was left handicapped after an accident seven years ago.
“Our society doesn’t give priority to assure the rights of handicapped people. The BTS was built without lifts for those who are unable to walk up the staircase and the footpath is not suitable for a wheelchair. We need a change or we will embarrass ourselves in front of our foreign guests,” Chayathon said.
BMA Traffic Policy and Transport Department deputy director Suthon Anakul said the delay was caused by construction difficulties as most BTS stations did not plan to have a lift and the construction company also had financial problems.
However, he said he would ensure that lifts would be built at all stations, except for Saphan Taksin, which has unique circumstances, by the end of this year.