Kuala lumpur: The absence of platform barriers at Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations has been identified as one of the contributing factors to incidents involving passengers, particularly persons with disabilities (PwDs). Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted that earlier-generation rail stations, especially LRT stations, were designed without physical barriers between platforms and trains, unlike newer facilities such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations which are fully equipped with safety systems.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prasarana is currently considering proposals to install barriers between the platform and the tracks. While it may not be feasible to close the entire gap completely, the goal is to minimize it by placing a barrier. Implementing this installation at older stations would require significant expenditure due to redesigning and would take a considerable amount of time. Loke addressed these points during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut), who raised concerns following a tragic incident where a visually impaired man fell and was run over by a train at the Wangsa Maju LRT Station last February.

Loke mentioned that, for now, auxiliary police personnel have been stationed at the affected stations and are trained to be alert and sensitive to the needs of the PwD community to prevent such incidents from recurring. He added that the government is committed to improving accessibility and inclusiveness within the public transportation system, including upgrading PwD-friendly facilities and installing lifts at older and rural Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) stations.

Rail service operators are also providing continuous training to their frontline staff to assist PwD passengers. This training ensures that appropriate assistance is delivered professionally, empathetically, and efficiently. This response was given to Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), who inquired about ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for PwD users in public transport.