As a wake up call of the tragic incident at Titiwangsa LRT station, that claimed the life of a visually impaired man, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad has announced their plans to enhance safety measures across all stations to avoid accidents. They intend to install platform sensors as a midterm solution.
Prasarana’s president and group CEO, Azharuddin Mat Sah, stated that they are actively working on safety improvements, including having extra police and operational staff at all stations with a high number of passengers with disabilities.
“As a midterm solution, we plan to collaborate with authorities to install sensors that will alert us if a passenger crosses into a dangerous area”.
The tragic incident took place on 22nd February when a visually impaired man accidentally fell onto the train tracks in Titiwangsa LRT station, and was fatally hit by the oncoming train. Following the tragic incident, Prasarana launched an internal investigation and has submitted a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Transport and the Land Public Transport Agency.
A special committee was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and to propose preventing measures to improve passenger safety.
Image Source: Synerwell“We are taking the incident very seriously. The findings of the investigation will help shape our future safety initiatives,” said Azharuddin.
In addition to platform sensors, Prasarana has announced long-term plans to install platform screen doors (PSD) at LRT stations, similar to those in MRT stations. These automated doors will be a physical barrier between passengers and the train track, significantly reducing the risk of accident falls.
Meanwhile, as an immediate response, additional securities have been appointed to key stations to ensure a closer monitoring of passenger activities and movements, particularly people with disabilities. Prasarana has also pledged to increase public awareness regarding platform safety and accessibility measures.
Ensuring Smooth Operations During Festival Season
Beyond safety improvements, Prasarana remains committed to ensure smother public transport operation. With over 3700 staff members on duty during the Raya celebration, they have ramped up efforts to accommodate the travel needs of city commuters. Azharuddin confirmed that holiday seasons have concluded and people return to the city, Prasarana will increase the frequency of bus and train service, with over 5000 staff.
In light of the recent cybersecurity breach at KLIA on 23rd March, Prasarana has also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding it’s digital infrastructure. Azharuddin assured that they will work closely with the National Cyber Security Agency (NASCA) to ensure all security systems remain at all levels. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reportedly instructed Prasarana to enhance cybersecurity protocol to prevent potential threats to public transport.
Prasarana’s proactive steps reflect on their dedication to give importance to safety and efficiency in Malaysia’s public transport system. As these measures are taken, passengers can now expect a more secure public transport experience in the future.
Sources: FMT , Vibes.com
