In the Spotlight

Lee Lee commutes with her guide dog by her side at Buangkok MRT Station
Source: Public Transport Council

Just like many of us, producer and scriptwriter Ms Lim Lee Lee often takes the bus or train to get to work meetings, errands, and appointments. What’s unique about her commute is that she has a trusty companion to help her navigate public transport. 

Lee Lee is visually impaired, and would work closely with her guide dog on her commutes. “It’s so much easier navigating public transport (with my guide dog), and I’m safer as I can better avoid colliding into things or people accidentally,” shares Lee Lee.

Nevertheless, Lee Lee still appreciates acts of care from other commuters. Her guide dog will usually lead her to the priority seats after boarding the bus. She shares that she “prefers these seats as they usually have a gap that’s big enough for my guide dog to sit comfortably in, without obstructing the path for other commuters.”

“When the seats are occupied, I can’t tell if it’s by an able-bodied commuter or by a senior or a fellow person with disabilities. So my guide dog just nudges me to the open space allocated for wheelchairs. I’m grateful when commuters step forward to ask able-bodied commuters in the priority seat to give me the seat instead,” Lee Lee added. 

Lee Lee waits for her bus next to her trusty guide dog
Source: Public Transport Council

When Lee Lee looks lost, many caring commuters will proactively offer her assistance. “They would ask me where I’m headed and if I need help getting there. These caring commuters would also wait with me for the bus to arrive before letting me know that my bus is here and guiding me to the door to board.”

Some caring commuters go the extra mile by seeing her safely to her destination. While on a bus headed to a university campus, a caring commuter stepped forward to ask where Lee Lee was headed, realised they were headed the same way, and offered to accompany her safely to her classroom.

These touching acts from commuters go a long way in making her commute better. Learn more about how you can give care and help visually impaired commuters by taking the Caring Commuter Champion e-learning course now!