Ambulances can use bus lanes in emergencies

WE THANK Mr David Goh Kia Ngan for his letter ("Why can't private ambulances use bus lanes?"; Monday).

Ambulances may use the bus lanes when ferrying patients in a medical emergency, and should have their sirens activated to signal this to other traffic.

Motorists are reminded to give way to all ambulances that have their sirens activated, as this indicates a medical emergency on board.

We will use this opportunity to remind all ambulance service providers that their vehicles may use the bus lanes.

Helen Lim (Ms)
Director, Media Relations
Land Transport Authority
ST Forum, 31 Oct 2014

Why can't private ambulances use bus lanes?

MY MOTHER was ill recently, and a doctor who examined her in our house advised us to send her to the hospital as soon as possible.

As she is a wheelchair user and not mobile, I called a private ambulance to take her.

Traffic was heavy on our way to the hospital as it was the peak hour, and I asked the driver why he did not use the bus lane.

He told me that private ambulances were not allowed to use such lanes and the drivers could get into trouble with the law if caught doing so.

An ambulance is, by definition, a vehicle that takes sick people to the hospital for treatment. A few minutes' delay could mean the difference between life and death.

I hope the Land Transport Authority will explain why private ambulances are not allowed to use bus lanes, and why they are given less priority than public buses.

David Goh Kia Ngan
ST Forum, 27 Oct 2014