A man's fracture on a one-man vehicle on the JR Sotobo Line, and safety concerns have been pointed out.

In the same month, a passenger who tried to get off the train fell on a one-man operation vehicle on the JR Sotobo Line, which was introduced in March this year, and was seriously injured by breaking his thigh. On the 5th, I found out by interviewing the JR East Chiba branch office. In April, a passenger was likely to be caught in the door by a vehicle of the same type on the Uchibo Line. None of the branch offices announced it.

Both cases occurred in the new model “E131 series” introduced in the spring timetable revision. Residents along the railway line have pointed out that there is concern about safety in one-man operation without a conductor.

The branch office said, “We apologize to those who have been involved in the accident and respond in good faith. We will take safety measures such as training drivers and installing monitors that can visually check getting on and off. We have taken steps and will continue one-man operation. ”

According to the branch office, the driver tried to close the two-car train that stopped at Taito Station (Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture) around 1:30 pm on March 16. A man in his 70s who tried to get down to the door came into contact and fell to the platform. The train departed about 9 minutes late.

On April 20, an elderly woman trying to get off at Emi Station (Kamogawa City, the same prefecture) was about to get caught in the door. The driver who noticed it opened immediately and was not injured.

Regarding the one-man operation of both the Uchibo and Sotobo lines, residents along the line submitted about 3,800 signatures to the branch office in March requesting the cancellation of the introduction. In December of last year, the Tateyama City Council of local governments along the railway line passed a written opinion stating, “We will explain to users and request that they not be introduced until safety is confirmed.”

(Joint)