Combating COVID-19 on public transport: Lessons from Shenzhen
25/03/2020

Combating COVID-19 on public transport: Lessons from Shenzhen

Public transport is being placed under enormous strain from the COVID-19 virus, having to deal with both massively reduced passenger numbers and ensuring high levels of safety and hygiene for those still using public transport.

As the first country to feel the effects of COVID-19, key lessons are coming out of China which can inform decisions being made today in Europe. Shenzhen is one city where lessons can be learned for ensuring a safe public transport service during this crisis.

The Shenzhen Bus Group (SBG) has recently published a reflection paper setting out their response to the virus outbreak and what measures were taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff.

Measures implemented include:

  • Protection of front line staff: Compulsory protection equipment for staff and passengers, monitoring of body temperature upon entrance to buildings and stations
  • Sanitation and cleaning: Cleaning after completion of every service, good ventilation of buildings and vehicles
  • Adjusting bus services: Reduced services to discourage unnecessary travel, 50% capacity limit, 24-hour emergency monitoring room
  • Staff management and deployment: Recording the travel of all staff outside of Shenzhen, mandatory self-isolation for staff returning from other locations, an employee assistance programme to provide counselling services and sanitation products

You can read more about the solutions implemented by SBG here. For a more in-depth read into the challenges facing public transport and potential solutions, please see this article from TUMI.

You can also watch a webinar run in collaboration between TUMI and SBG here.