Isn't It Dangerous For People To Walk On The LRT Track? RapidKL Has The Answer
There has been concern over the safety of LRT commuters.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Sep 2016, 02:18 PM
On 9 September, following the glitch that disrupted the LRT services along the Kelana Jaya line, commuters had to walk on the tracks:
The stranded passengers had to walk on the emergency walkway on the elevated track as they had to be evacuated and led to the nearest stations.
The sight of people captured walking on the tracks made people on social media criticize RapidKL for putting passengers' lives at risk
To add to the issue of commuters walking on the tracks, a video posted by theSundaily on its YouTube channel showed that while they were still on the tracks walking, next to them was another train in motion coming from the opposite direction.
It made some people on Facebook and Twitter question RapidKL's decision to let the train operate while passengers were still walking on the tracks.
While responding to comments on Facebook over the safety concern, RapidKL explained that walking on tracks is actually a part of their Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in the case of an unexpected situation and that this plan was approved by SPAD
However, commentators were having none of it.
Commenting further on its Facebook page, they asked what if the LRT commuters slip or fall, will RapidKL will be held accountable for this, and if it is part of the ERP for a train from the opposite direction to run while commuters are still on the track.
Even the Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) President, Ajith Johl, was shocked to see photos of LRT commuters walking on the tracks. The Star reported him saying this was "simply unacceptable".
"This highlights the weakness in the safety measures taken by the operator. It was sheer luck that nobody was injured," Ajith was quoted by The Star, who said the explanation given by Rapid KL was "inadequate."
"4PAM demands that Prasarana comes clean with its maintenance records and forms an independent committee to investigate this matter further," added Ajith.
Following which, this SAYS writer wrote to G. Tivanaathan, Group Communications & Strategic Marketing Associate at Prasarana
SAYS asked G. Tivanaathan if the ERP approved by SPAD involved trains from the opposite direction to be in motion while commuters were still on the tracks.
Here's what G. Tivanaathan told us over email:
"We would like to emphasize that no one was allowed to walk on the tracks during the evacuation," Tivanaathan said, adding that Rapid KL "only allow passengers (to) walk on the designated walkway along the track."
Passengers can be seen here walking on the designated walkway along the track, and not on the tracks.
Image via Hafiz RazakHighlighting the designated walkways' purpose, he said they are "used mainly for maintenance or passengers evacuation procedure"
"All standard operating procedures were followed during Friday's evacuation of passengers near the Sri Rampai and Damai stations.
"These walkways, which are flush-mounted aluminum panels with serrated surfaces to provide more grip, are located at either median of the elevated sections, separating both pairs of rails. These walkways, which (are) between 90cm and 120cm, may also be located on either side of the track at other locations," he said.
Tivanaathan added that during the Friday's guided evacuation, "the passengers were closely supervised by a number of trained staffs on duty."
The staff monitored the situation closely and ensured the safety of every passenger.