Partitions to be added to 3,000 taxis to fight Covid-19

A pilot project is underway, launched by the Department of Land Transport, to install 3,000 partitions in taxis for Covid-19 safety throughout the month of October. The Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob stated they hope the move instils confidence in hired transportation services and increases public safety against the spread of Covid-19.

The acrylic partitions will be installed in taxies to block any droplets from spreading Covid-19 from drivers to passengers and vice versa. The Transport Minister led an opening ceremony yesterday to mark the launch of the programme and the first fleet of partition-equipped cabs being put into use.

The launch ceremony was attended by the Department of Land Transport director-general, the president and executives of SGC Chemicals Co – the company that designed the partitions for taxis – as well as taxi drivers and other senior government officials.

Installation began on September 16 and officials expect that all 3,000 participating taxis will be outfitted with partitions by the end of October. Taxis that are equipped with the partitions will bear signs on their windshields to alert passengers of the enhanced Covid-19 safety feature.

The partitions have been manufactured with high-quality clear acrylic that includes a QR code on them which customers in the taxis can scan and rate their experience. They were built to be easily fitted into medium and large taxis and designed not to obstruct visibility or any part of the operation of the vehicles.

Transport Minister Saksayam explained that the government had tasked the Transport Ministry with coming up with measures to help taxi drivers who have lost significant income due to passengers fearful of the spread of Covid-19 in public transport. The idea of partitions in taxis was proposed as a way to prevent Covid-19 spread and increase customer confidence, knowing that no droplets will pass between the drivers and passengers from talking, coughing or sniffling.

The minister commented that all businesses have had to learn and adjust in order to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and that the partitions plan for taxis was part of the Ministry’s new normal initiative to try to get life back to normal with Covid-19 still a part of everyday life.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post