Editorials
A dangerous malfunction
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-24 07:48
 |
Large Medium Small |
Residents in Shanghai including those trapped in the metropolis subway tunnels on Tuesday have the right to know what really happened to the subway system.
A subway line was paralyzed for seven hours and passengers were trapped in the subway tunnel for more than two, excruciating hours on a workday. Many more were affected by the delays. In addition, three unrelated accidents happened in the city's subway on the same day. Paralysis of this important mode of transport in Shanghai could very well bring the crowded municipality to a standstill.
That passengers have to wait inside the tunnel for more than two hours without knowing what had happened until they were rescued reveals a lapse in the subway system's contingency plan. This is compounded by the fact that two hours after the snag, citizens were not informed of such malfunction. Many were caught surprised when they arrived at packed subway stations.
| ||||
Four accidents in a single day including a paralysis of seven hours after a pile-up should be more than enough to remind the local government of the possible sloppy management of the subway system. It is not just the dereliction of duty by a particular person or a slip of error committed by someone on duty that could have caused such a series of accidents.
Obviously, an overhaul of the subway management is needed to put in place a qualified and competent management team for the smooth operation of the subway system.
Relevant departments had been ordered by the municipal traffic authorities to carry out a thorough check of the electric lines, traffic lights and other electronic equipments to prevent all potential problems that may cause accidents in the future. And a special team involving several municipal government departments has been established to investigate into the cause of the accidents.
Despite the promise from the municipal government that citizens will be given a thorough account about the cause of the accidents, it is important for the municipal government and relevant departments to deliver confidence to its citizens - that their subway system is indeed safe and reliable.
As a speedy urban transport means, subway's safety can never be overemphasized as passengers in the tunnels are vulnerable to any kind of accident. There must be a tight control of every link in the management of the system. Equipment must be regularly checked and contingency plans carefully made in case of emergency.
If the latest snag was to be judged, the current subway management team has fallen short of what passengers have expected of it. We hope that the four accidents in a single day will turn out to be a wake-up call to the local authorities to buck-up the management of the city's subway system in the best possible way.
(China Daily 12/24/2009 page8)
