Finally, These Upcoming Major Railways Are Getting Safety Barriers
It's about time.
At least three of the country's upcoming major railways will have platform screen doors in all stations, an official of the Department of Transportation has confirmed on Tuesday, August 22.
During the renaming rites of the LRT-1 Roosevelt Station to Fernando Poe Jr. Station, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said that the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) will be equipped with the safety feature.
"Clark to Calamba, 147 kilometers, 34 stations—lahat 'yun ay may passenger screen door na," Chavez said of the NSCR. "Ang subway natin, ganoon din. Ang MRT-4 natin, ganoon din."
The official's statement came after a male passenger reportedly jumped onto the southbound tracks of the LRT-1 Blumentritt Station on Saturday, August 19, suspending its operations for 30 minutes. According to the DOTr advisory, "the train operator was able to apply the emergency brake" and while the first responders found the passenger conscious, his left foot was severed.
Also read: It's High Time Our Train Stations Get Safety Barriers
What's the point of platform screen doors?
Platform screen doors are half-height or full-height barriers that separate platforms from the tracks, which are widely used in countries with advanced rail networks. They come with gates that line up with the train car doors, sliding open to allow passengers to board or alight, then closing before the train departs.
Calls for these safety features to be installed in train stations have been made over the years, even as recently as April after a passenger who had allegedly jumped onto the southbound tracks of the MRT-3 Quezon Avenue Station passed away.
Chavez said that fitting existing LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 stations with platform screen doors would be difficult, but the DOTr will study the proposals.
In Osaka, the world's first adjustable platform screen doors is be compatible with any train car are already in use.