Why was the ART trial not fully accessible to wheelchair users?

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ART Trial Lacked Full Wheelchair Accessibility Due to Infrastructure Requirements

The Automated Rapid Transit (ART) trial in Putrajaya was not fully accessible to wheelchair users because the existing station platforms were not level with the trackless trams. Operator Mobilus Sdn Bhd stated that the necessary permanent modifications to achieve this, such as installing ramps or hydraulic lifts, could not be completed in time for the pilot phase. These infrastructural changes are planned for implementation should the ART proceed to a full launch.
Infrastructure Modifications Were Not Completed in Time

Mobilus Sdn Bhd explained that the requirement for station platforms to be level with the trackless trams prevented full wheelchair accessibility during the Putrajaya trial. Chief operating officer Ramlan Zainol Abidin indicated that the timeline for the pilot project was too short to implement the necessary permanent infrastructural amendments. While the company has engaged with special needs groups in the past to understand their requirements, the brief notice for the Putrajaya trial precluded these adjustments.
Informal Audit Highlighted Accessibility Deficiencies

An informal audit conducted by the Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia revealed that wheelchair users had to be physically carried aboard the ART trams. This method contrasts with the ramp or hydraulic lift systems used on conventional Rapid buses. Members of the association found this arrangement unsustainable and not aligned with preferred methods of assistance for people with disabilities.
Trial Prioritised Road Behaviour Data Collection

Ramlan Zainol Abidin acknowledged that the current arrangement for boarding was a compromise, with the primary objective of the trial being to gather data on the tram's performance and behaviour on Putrajaya's roads. The trial, a collaboration involving Perbadanan Putrajaya and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, with support from the Transport Ministry, aimed to assess these operational aspects. The ART had previously undergone trials in Putrajaya earlier in the year and concluded its second trial round on July 31.

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Why was the ART trial not fully accessible to wheelchair users?

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