It seems train platform be soon another suicidal method apart from jumping off building. Why are people taking their life so vulnerably? In recent years, we’ve had heard of many cases whereby citizens ended their life through the means of jumping off MRT tracks, resulting delays and bloody scenes. It is indeed heartrending to know that.

However, one question has been occupying me each time I’m aware of “jumping off track” news – Why aren’t SMRT doing anything to at least reduce the rate of people committing suicide at MRT stations?

Having an average of S$40m per quarter year, SMRT should actually start to upgrade those platforms without barriers.

It might be a long term project; it might cause delays, disruptions, or inconvenience to the passengers. Nonetheless, as a passenger’s point of view, I do not mind such as long as it builds out preventive results.
The quoted incident may be just an accident (and not suicidal attempt), but at least, the company should start announcing assurance to citizens, allowing us to know that plans of building e.g. barriers or sliding doors similar to those underground stations.

I agree that when one wants to attempt suicide, nothing can actually stop them since they might behave normally. On the other hand, if we were to give them the “opportunity” to do it, shouldn’t it be part of our responsibility to destroy it? It applies to this case. Nevertheless, I’m not pushing the blame to SMRT for such accidents to occur. No one has expected people to turn to tracks jumping.

Generally, when comes to life and death issue, it’s no longer about profit-making or money sense; each life is priceless and precious, be it an elder or a new born child. Each life has its story to explain.

I sincerely hope that the company will implement safety measurement such as building barriers in near future for MRT tracks.

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