Covid-19: ComfortDelGro trials plastic shields in 400 taxis to minimise contact between drivers, passengers

SINGAPORE — ComfortDelGro has installed plastic shields around the driver’s cabin in 400 of its taxis as part of a trial to reduce contact between passengers and drivers.

In a statement on Wednesday (May 20), the largest taxi company in Singapore said that the shields which measure 1m by 0.7m by 0.6m were made of a special type of plastic.

Known as a V-shield, the plastic is unbreakable and will double up as a protection for cabbies against violent physical harm, it added. 

The shield covers the driver's cabin entirely but has two "window" openings for passengers to make payment.

Meanwhile, airflow in the rest of the taxi will not be affected by the shields which are manufactured in Singapore.

Mr Ang Wei Neng, chief executive of ComfortDelGro Taxi, said in the statement said that while drivers are taking as many precautions as they can by wearing masks and constantly disinfecting their cabs, the risk of transmission of Covid-19 is still present.

“These shields will further reduce that level of risk as it serves as an added layer of protection for the cabbies,” said Mr Ang.

ComfortDelGro, who has a fleet of close to 10,000 taxis, said it has plans for more taxis to be fitted with the V-shields should the trial become successful.

Installation of the V-shields has started and will be done gradually with 50 taxis scheduled for fitting every week.

This product has been trademarked by Moove Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Corporation.