Study to assess suitable barriers for LRT stations to conclude by mid-2015: LTA

SINGAPORE — After a commuter fell onto the tracks yesterday morning (Dec 15) while she was at Fernvale LRT station, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Teo Ser Luck said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) may want to consider erecting platform barriers at LRT stations to ensure the safety of commuters.

The commuter, who is known as Ms Lee, said she experienced dizzy spells while waiting at the station’s platform.

Ms Lee told Channel NewsAsia she was on the platform to board the train when the incident happened. As she heard an announcement saying the train was arriving, she felt faint.

“When I regained consciousness, I saw the LRT train beside me. I was apparently on the track, and then the LRT station uncle helped me get onto the platform,” she said.

Ms Lee said she is thankful that she only suffered a fracture on her right shoulder, but feels the gap between the platform’s yellow line and train tracks is too narrow.

At the moment, only a few LRT stations have platform barriers. There are 13 LRT stations in Singapore.

Mr Teo said that if barriers like those at MRT stations cannot be erected due to technical reasons, barriers of a lower height can be implemented as alternative safety measures.

When asked, LTA said all elevated MRT stations are installed with half-height platform screen doors, and a study to assess the type of barriers suitable for LRT stations is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

“Currently, our LRT operators have in place safety measures to minimise the risk of commuters falling onto the tracks. These include visual cues such as yellow line markings on the platform and posters to remind commuters to keep a safe distance from the platform edge,” LTA said.

“SMRT and SBS Transit staff are also deployed at the platforms of crowded LRT stations to advise commuters to keep away from the platform edge. Emergency train stop buttons are also installed on the platforms so that commuters can stop the train if someone falls onto the tracks. LTA will continue to work with our LRT operators to enhance the safety of commuters,” it added. CHANNEL NEWSASIA