Thursday, 19 January 2012

Balls Overhead


Railway staff in Indonesia have started hanging concrete balls above train tracks to try to prevent commuters from riding on carriage roofs.
The balls - which can deliver a severe blow to the head - will be suspended a few inches above the tops of carriages at points where trains enter or pull out of stations, or where they go through crossings.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16596181


In 2008 at least 53 passengers died in an accident while travelling on a train roof. In 2011, 11 people were killed.
Most victims are electrocuted by overhead power cables, but some fall off train carriages while trains are moving.

The main problem, commuters say, is just how crowded the trains are. Reports say some ticket holders also end up on train roofs because there is no room inside.
Officials say they have tried everything to stop the problem - and even put rolls of barbed wire on train roofs - but nothing has worked.
Officials say that if the latest initiative is successful, the project will be expanded.