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| Deterrent: In some KL Monorail stations, the barriers are sealed off with barricade tape. |
FOR some commuters, the sense of danger is always present when they opt to ride the monorail or LRT.
Retiree R. Praba, 56, said she got anxious whenever she took the KL Monorail during peak hours.
“The platforms can get quite crowded as people jostle to get in and I worry that I might get pushed onto the tracks,” said Praba.
She said inconsiderate commuters made the situation worse.
“They should wait by the side of the doors until commuters disembark at the platform before boarding.
“Here, everyone just rushes in. Also, no one queues up,” she added.
Roshaliza Adam, 25, a clerk who just started working in Kuala Lumpur a few months ago, said she had gotten used to the situation.
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| Be careful: Some commuters feel uneasy that the platform barriers are left open. |
“At first, I did feel that the gap between the train and the platform was dangerous. But now I know how close I can stand near the gap without feeling uncomfortable or worrying about my safety.
“Parents with young children, however, should be extra careful,” she said, adding that no security personnel seem to be present at the stations.
In response, Prasarana said installation of the Platform Automatic Gate System (Pags) was being done in stages at all monorail stations as part of its fleet expansion project to improve passenger safety.
Work on the RM494mil KL Monorail Fleet Expansion project that began in 2012 will also include the installation of a new signalling system, construction of a new depot to accommodate larger train sets and other station upgrades and universal access facilities as well as platform extensions.
Twelve four-car monorail trains will be delivered in stages until the fourth quarter of this year under the same project.
“Pags will be utilised once KL Monorail starts operations of the full four-car monorail fleet.
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| No Platform Automatic Gate System: The KL Monorail two-car train when the transport system was first launched. — filepic-The Star |
“Currently, two four-car trains are operating alongside eight two-car trains,” said Prasarana in a statement.
It added that Pags cannot be operated during a mixed-fleet operation, whereby two types of trains are being used.
“Auxiliary police personnel as well as regular public announcements are made to advise commuters to observe safety procedures and take extra care when entering and exiting the trains as well as while waiting at the platform,” Prasarana said.
Currently, the daily monorail ridership is 75,000.
The company said although rare, there had been cases of commuters slipping off the platform.
“A disabled person once fell on the tracks but he was immediately helped up,” Prasarana said, adding that it would continue to enhance safety measures to encourage more people to use the monorail.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras have also been installed in the trains and at the platforms.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/01/13/Carrying-it-out-in-stages-Installation-of-automatic-gate-system-to-improve-safety-of-passengers/
The Star - Malaysia - CHOONG MEK ZHIN
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