What's happened
Recent incidents involving floating bus stops in London and a tram derailment in Oslo have raised safety concerns. Charities criticize the design of floating bus stops for endangering pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities, while a tram crash in Norway injured several passengers and the driver, prompting investigations into the cause.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Metro, footage of a cyclist colliding with a child at a floating bus stop has intensified calls for their removal, with Sarah Gayton from the National Federation for the Blind stating, 'That poor little lad could have really hurt himself.' Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported on a tram derailment in Oslo, where the driver is now considered a suspect. The police are investigating the cause, with no serious injuries reported. This incident underscores the need for safety assessments in public transport systems, as highlighted by The Independent, which noted the extensive damage caused by the tram crash.
How we got here
Floating bus stops in London have been implemented to improve cyclist safety by allowing them to bypass stationary buses. However, this design has faced criticism from accessibility advocates. Meanwhile, a tram derailment in Oslo has highlighted potential safety issues in public transport systems.
More on these topics
-
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. As of 27 February 2020, the municipality of Oslo had a population of 693,491, while the population of the city's urban area of 4 November 2019 was 1,019