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Disabled in bus row

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BUS companies are in for a drubbing for poor progress making access easier for disabled people.

In a forthcoming summit, the Transport Department will also be accused of working only as a 'loud hailer' and failing to force public transport operators to install more facilities for the disabled.

Rehabilitation groups, including the physically and mentally handicapped, are expected to vent their anger at the meeting to be chaired by Governor Chris Patten next month.

Public transport companies and government officials including representatives from the Transport Department are expected to attend.

Public transport has long been a problem for handicapped people and many have complained they are kept out of the community or cannot get jobs because of the lack of transport. Some are forced to use taxis but most of them cannot afford to do so.

Karen Mak Kam-king, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth's executive committee, said she would fight for the adoption of the easy access single deck, lower floor buses for the disabled. She said the proposal had been sent to the Transport Department which promised to consider selecting a bus route for a trial.

Ms Mak and other representatives for the physically handicapped will on Wednesday meet officials from the department in preparation for the summit.

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