Sichuan On-Site: ART System Riders Praise Smooth Rides as Platform Gap Hazards Spark Safety Concerns
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
A Hong Kong reporter's on-site visit to Yibin, Sichuan, found the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) system offers smoother rides than light rail or buses with lower noise levels. However, the approximately 20-centimetre gap between platforms and trains poses safety risks, with an elderly woman observed falling during boarding. Industry experts suggest automated踏板 solutions could address the issue should the system expand to Hong Kong.
Key Points
- Yibin operates three ART lines (T1, T2, T4) spanning 87.9 kilometres with nearly 50 stations, serving as the city's primary public transit backbone
- The T1 line charges 2 to 6 yuan RMB depending on distance, with fares increasing progressively
- The ART carriages demonstrated superior stability compared to light rail and buses, with minimal noise from rubber tires
- Platform gaps measuring approximately 20 centimetres were documented, nearly matching an adult foot length
- An elderly passenger was witnessed stumbling and falling due to the gap, sustaining a leg abrasion before staff provided assistance
Why It Matters
The Yibin experience offers valuable lessons for Hong Kong's potential adoption of ART on the Hung Shui Kiu Line, particularly in identifying practical safety improvements such as automated platform extensions that could reduce gap widths from 20 to 15 centimetres when autonomous driving technology matures .
The Yibin experience offers valuable lessons for Hong Kong's potential adoption of ART on the Hung Shui Kiu Line, particularly in identifying practical safety improvements such as automated platform extensions that could reduce gap widths from 20 to 15 centimetres when autonomous driving technology matures .