Nov 17, 2007
SMRT should look into
problems with train doors
I WOULD like to bring up the issue of passenger safety on
trains.
I boarded a train along the North East Line from Potong Pasir to
Serangoon on Nov 9 at around 5.40pm with a friend of mine. This
train encountered problems and stopped suddenly between two
stations.
After a while, attempts were made for it to move, but they resulted
in multiple jerks which sent some passengers who were standing
colliding into others if they had not managed to get hold of any of
the grab bars. The train had to move slowly until we reached our
destination. The alignment of the doors was not accurate, so we had
to wait before we could alight.
The train inched forward so that they would align. The inner doors
finally opened, leaving the outer one along the platform still
closed. When it did open, we began to walk through it, only to have
it close on us. My friend was uninjured, but it left me with grazes
on my right arm as well as grease on my palms.
I was rather disappointed at the level of safety as it had not been
my first time seeing such incidents happening, resulting in
injury.
On Oct 27 at around 2pm, I was at the City Hall station, waiting
along the East West Line when a crowd rushed into the
already-packed train. An elderly woman was one of the last few
attempting to board the train, believing that the crowds would
eventually ease into the middle of the train, leaving enough space
for her.
Suddenly, the doors closed on her, resulting in the woman being
stuck between the doors. Being in her 70s at least, she was unable
to struggle free. A few women who had been nearby, including a
woman in her 30s who was accompanying the elderly woman, tried our
best to pull open the doors to free her, but to no avail. Without
the help of a man to pull open the doors, the consequences would
have had been disastrous if the train had moved with the elderly
lady still remaining there. Yet, the undeniable fact is that the
elderly lady would have suffered shock from this incident. There
had either been no sensors to open the doors when people get stuck
in-between it or they had been faulty.
I feel that more measures should be taken to ensure the safety of
the public when we travel on these trains. The problem of the doors
places many who take the trains every day in risk of injury. Would
the authorities look into this matter?
Elaine Wee (Miss)
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_177485.html
Firstly, I don't think SMRT controls the NEL.
Secondly, who asked you not to hold the grab-bars? They are there
for a reason.
Thirdly, the train will not move off if the PSDs are not closed.
It's a safety measure.
Lastly, there is a emergency stop plunger at the platform of the
station.
