Solutions from Ukraine: Kyiv metro implements measures to keep passengers safe from falling onto tracks

Passengers falling onto the tracks have become more frequent in the capital metro—three such incidents occurred in June 2024. In this regard, a petition for installing protective screens at the stations has been registered on the Kyiv City Council's website.

In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, deputy director of the Department of Transport Infrastructure of City State Administration Valentyn Kulbako said what they plan to do in the capital metro to prevent people from falling onto the tracks.

What is the problem?

In June, three people fell onto the tracks in the Kyiv metro, one of whom died.

In particular, on June 27, rescuers unblocked a man from under a train at the "Universytet" station in the capital metro.

What is the solution?

That is why a petition was registered on the Kyiv City Council's website asking for the establishment of protective screens at subway stations to prevent tragic accidents.

How does it work?

According to the Kyiv City State Administration, the metro is implementing new measures to decrease the number of passengers who fall onto the metro tracks. This includes: 

• increasing the amount of information about passenger behavior on the platform;
• adding extra cautionary stickers on the platform floor at specific stations prior to the boundary line to ensure passengers are careful while waiting for their train;
• improving visual monitoring of passengers' well-being at station checkpoints.

Additionally, "Kyiv Metropoliten" is currently addressing the potential installation of protective barriers, keeping in mind passenger volumes and each station's unique structure and design.

For reference:

It is essential to mention that during an air raid, all public transportation services come to a halt. The population seeks refuge in underground metro stations. While electric trains continue to operate during an alert, they only run through the underground sections of the metro lines.

^{Photo: Ukrinform}

Thus, during the morning attack of the Russian army on July 8, 32,000 people took refuge from shelling at the metro stations of the capital, including almost 2,200 children.