An highly dangerous incidental occurred in the heart of the capital in the early afternoon, which paralyzed the key line of the Warsaw Metro for over an hour. At Świętokrzyska Station, 1 of the most crucial interchanges in the city, a man for unknown reasons entered the track. The fast consequence of the metro services prevented the tragedy, but the event caused large difficulties for thousands of passengers. The train movement on the M1 line was completely halted in the central section, and the police were called to the scene to explain the circumstances of the incident.
The incidental information confirmed Anna Barton, Press Secretary of the Warsaw Metro, in conversation with the Warsaw portal in Pigułka. As she reported, the man was immediately captured by an on-call station, which ensured his safety and handed him over to the officers. For passengers, this meant a abrupt change of plans and the request to search for alternate routes during the transport rush hour. Messages about stopping traffic and moving trains in loops sounded at all stations of the first metro line.
M1 line paralyzed. How did the trains run?
The event at Świętokrzyska station had immediate and serious consequences for the operation of the full first metro line. The Municipal Transportation Board was forced to introduce an emergency traffic organization, dividing the M1 line into 2 independent loops. Thousands of passengers heard messages on the platforms announcing a fresh train route. This was the only solution to keep partial mobility and handle utmost sections of the line.
In practice, this meant that trains operated exclusively on sections:
- University of Technology – Kabaty (handling the confederate part of Warsaw)
- Wilson Square – Hammers (serving the northern part of Warsaw)
Disabled from traffic has been key, central section between the stations of method University and Wilson Squareincluding specified crucial stops as the Centre and the Arsenal City Hall. For passengers travelling, for example, from Ursynów to Żoliborz, this meant leaving the train at the Polytechnique station and searching for alternate ground connections, mainly trams and buses, which importantly increased travel time and caused a piston in replacement transport vehicles.
Mysterious Intrusion and fast consequence of Services
The motives of the man on the tracks stay unknown for this moment. The police who arrived at Świętokrzyska station began investigations. Officers will find whether it was an unfortunate event, a suicide effort or an highly irresponsible behavior. The key in this situation was emergency operation of the on-call station. It was the subway individual who first noticed the threat that led to the power off on the 3rd rail and captured the passenger, preventing possible tragedy.
Intruding into a subway track is deadly dangerous. In addition to the hazard of being hit by an incoming train, the biggest threat is third rail with 750V current. Contact with her almost always ends with death. Therefore, safety procedures in the metro are highly restrictive, and all unauthorised individual on the tracks causes an immediate halt to traffic on a given section. Service activities, though burdensome for passengers, aimed primarily at protecting the life and wellness of the individual who was in the danger zone.
Movement resumed, but chaos remained. What to do in specified situations?
About an hr after the service event, they ended their activities at the station Świętokrzyska. According to the Warsaw Metro, traffic throughout the M1 line was resumed around 15:10 p.m.. This is good news for passengers, but it should be remembered that restoring the average moving of trains after specified a long break is simply a gradual process. For respective twelve minutes after resuming traffic, trains may proceed to run with delays or off-scaling before the full network of connections returns to normal.
This incidental is simply a reminder of the importance of tracking messages and having a Plan B while traveling around the city. In the event of an emergency halt to subway traffic, the Municipal Transportation Board recommends:
- Careful listening to messages voice on stations and trains.
- Checking the authoritative WTP website and social media, where current information on obstacles is published.
- Use alternative means of transport – along the M1 line there are many tram lines (including 4, 15, 18, 35) and bus lines that can be a good alternative.
- Keep calm and follow orders from metro and order services.
Although the situation has returned to normal, the police proceed to analyse full the reasons for this dangerous incidental in the heart of Warsaw communication.
Read more:
A man entered the subway tracks. Paralysis in the center of Warsaw, police in place!
