CONVENIENCE or OBSTRUCTION? - Debate on allowing PMAs in indoor spaces rages on

As malls move to accommodate riders, other visitors flag safety risks and call for restrictions

- Kolette Lim

An incident on Nov 12 at AMK Hub, in which an elderly couple were asked to relocate their personal mobility aids PMAs) because the devices were parked indiscriminately” and to avoid obstructions”, has reignited the debate over the use of such vehicles in indoor spaces.

Four major mall operators CapitaLand, Lendlease, Frasers Property and Link Asset Management told The Sunday Times that PMA users are allowed within their premises, in line with their aim to provide a safe and inclusive shopping experience.

PMAs include vehicles such as mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs, and are designed to carry individuals who have difficulty walking.

While the Land Transport Authority regulates the use of active mobility devices on footpaths outdoors, indoor spaces are not under its purview and are subject to rules, if any, set by property owners.

Lendlease’s head of asset operations Jenny Khoo said the company’s malls have ample provisions to support PMA users, such as proper ramp access and wider pathways.

It operates malls such as Jem and Paya Lebar Quarter, and is working with non-profit organisation Disabled People’s Association to develop additional measures to improve accessibility while reviewing existing ones.

A spokesperson for Frasers Property, which manages malls such as Tiong Bahru Plaza and Northpoint City, said: We constantly seek ways to improve accessibility at our malls and provide barrier-free access for persons with mobility challenges and disabilities.”

The spokesperson added that security personnel on patrol will also help ensure that PMAs are used safely and parked responsibly within its malls.

Besides shopping malls, supermarket chains that see high foot traffic, such as FairPrice, also allow PMAs to enter their stores.