Capacity of trains, buses will be raised ‘to the maximum’ from June 2 to ease peak-hour crowds: Khaw

SINGAPORE — With more people returning to work and school after circuit breaker rules are rolled back from June 2, the authorities will crank up the capacity of trains and buses “to the maximum”, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Tuesday (May 19). 

In a Facebook post, Mr Khaw, who is also Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, said that with ridership expected to rise after the movement controls are eased, trains and buses would be more crowded, especially during peak periods. 

Even with the increased capacity, he warned that keeping a safe distance between commuters will be difficult, especially at peak hours.

But with low community transmission of the coronavirus in Singapore, the risk of commuters contracting it is also low, he said. 

As of Tuesday, the number of Covid-19 cases in the community had fallen from six per day in the week before, to an average of three a day in the past week. 

Even so, precautions are in place. 

Transport operators have not only stepped up their cleaning regime but have applied antimicrobial chemical coating to all surfaces that are frequently touched, Mr Khaw said. 

This coating is said to protect people against microbial surface contaminants, including the coronavirus. A similar product has been applied to frequently touched surfaces at Changi Airport. 

Commuters must also wear masks on public transport and maintain good hygiene. 

Mr Khaw added that commuters can further protect others by not talking loudly to one another or on their phones, and to stay home if they are unwell.

On Tuesday, the Government announced that the circuit breaker to contain the spread of Covid-19 will be eased after June 1, and activities will resume gradually in three phases.

The first stage, which will start on June 2 and last at least several weeks, will involve the resumption of economic activities that do not pose a high risk of transmission. 

These include work at most manufacturing and production facilities as well as most businesses with employees working in settings that do not require interactions with large groups of people, such as those in the wholesale trade, and health and social services.

Speaking at a press conference by the multi-ministry task force overseeing Singapore’s response to the pandemic, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that staggered working hours would also help to ease peak-hour crowds on public transport. 

“We would strongly encourage companies to stagger their work hours,” said Mr Chan. “For example, those in office settings that are not linked to international trade may wish to consider starting their work after 10am.”

“(This will) help us minimise the congestion load during the peak hours in the morning.” 

Mr Khaw said that with much still unknown about the disease, there is no “foolproof way” to avoid being infected until a vaccine emerges.

“But we can minimise the risk to a manageable level. 

“Avoiding close physical contact with an infected patient is the most sensible, but as some patients are without symptoms, we may not know if we are in close contact with one. Hence the advice to all to maintain a safe distance with one another,” he said.

Singapore reported 451 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, pushing the total to 28,794. Migrant workers in dormitories continue to form the overwhelming majority of coronavirus patients here.