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No plan to close overcrowded stations: Connex

Connex says the plan was taken out of context. - ABC

Connex denies it has plans to permanently close any city railway stations due to overcrowding.

The company has confirmed it does have the power to close city train stations, but would only do so in the event of an emergency.

The company's business plan also raises the possibility of introducing glass barriers on platforms, but Connex says it is only an idea at this stage.

Company spokeswoman Lanie Harris says there are strategies in place for exceptional circumstances.

"Our station masters always have the option of implementing special operating procedures if it's deemed necessary under special circumstances," she said.

"But closing stations is not something that we plan to do."

Connex Executive Chairman Johnathon Metcalfe says it is responsible planning.

"Like any business or any transport operator, you do need to have plans and contigencies in the event of a specific one-off type situation or in the event of real ongoing sustained crowding."

The Opposition's Terry Mulder says there are concerns that people could push from the rear of the crowd to create a surge forward.

"I would consider that they would be concerned by recent cancellations where people are getting desperate about getting home, where train after train are cancelled, platforms become very very congested," he said.

Meanwhile, there were at least 14 train cancellations on the suburban train system this morning.

The company says two of the cancellations were due to issues from Tuesday's heat.


- ABC

© ABC 2008

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