More trains a key to safety

ADDED train services would help passengers maintain social distancing on public transport, advocates say.

Public Transport Users Association Geelong convener Paul Westcott said the State Government needed to add trains and buses so they wouldn’t be at risk of overcrowding.

“As more people start using public transport, services will need to be increased to make sure social distancing (is achieved),” he said.

Additional cleaning will continue on trains, trams and buses into the coming months.

The Geelong Advertiser understands the Department of Transport will continue additional cleaning of trams, trains and buses into the coming months.

A department spokesman encouraged commuters to stay home if they could, but if they had to use public transport, try to travel outside of the peak to increase physical distance.

“Don’t travel if you are unwell, practise good hand hygiene and maximise the distance between yourself and other passengers where possible,” the spokesman said.

Figures show about 200,000 people a day have travelled on Victoria’s public transport network over the past few weeks.

“We’re working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, Chief Health Officer and public transport operators to ensure a coordinated approach to operating services safely when people return to work in the coming months,” the spokesman said.

The Geelong Advertiser understands several bus companies throughout the region have undertaken additional daily cleaning measures, including wiping down all surfaces, as students prepare to return to classrooms .

Bus passengers were advised to remain at least 1.5m from other passengers, avoid the front row of seats and to practise good hand and cough sanitation.

Deakin epidemiology chair Catherine Bennett said varying working hours or hours of travel would assist in reducing contact.

“Hopefully with more people walking, working from home and driving we’ll have less crowding on public transport,” Ms Bennett said.

She suggested limiting numbers on public transport as an alternative to packed peakhour travel.

But she said that raised questions about long queues would be managed.