In message , Richard J.
writes

I remember reading here some time ago about incidents where a Central
Line passenger had pressed the door close button, not realising that he
was being followed by another passenger who was struck by the closing
door. Health & Safety considerations then led to the Close facility
being withdrawn. I'm not sure why passenger-operated door opening has
also been withdrawn on the Tube when it's still in operation on DLR.

The number of times I've stood behind people who just look at the doors
and seem to expect them to open as if by magic on the DLR, I can!

On National Rail, some of the latest stock like Class 450 on SWT have
passenger-openable doors which individually close (following the usual
warning bleeps) after a certain time has elapsed, about 30 seconds I
think. This is very useful at a terminus where otherwise the doors
could be open for a long time.

If the driver can be bothered he/she does have selective door closing
available, at least on 73TS and I'm sure other stocks have it too.
We're encouraged to use this once it gets cold although it's never
policed to my knowledge.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)