Prevention of viruses and their spread, especially after the advent of Covid-19, drew everyone’s attention to protecting our own health. High hygiene in public transport is undoubtedly of great importance for the protection of both passengers and those working in this sector. As the responsibility for the prevention of infections that can be transmitted in public transport is not only each of us, but also the institutions responsible for disinfection and cleanliness measures.

Responsibility of carriers and institutions

Protecting the health of the public using public transport is a real priority, especially in a time of pandemic. Taking care of this includes regular hygiene and disinfection of vehicles and consumer spaces such as waiting rooms, bus stops, ticket offices, etc. according to the requirements and prescriptions of the Regional Health Inspectorate.

– Disinfection of vehicles and public places

The measures issued by the RHI stipulate that the vehicles – part of the Municipal Transport Scheme, should be disinfected 4 times a day. Before starting the disinfection itself, it is necessary to determine the critical points in the vehicle. These are all surfaces that passengers touch, such as door handles, seats, floors and so on. Hygienic measures are made at the last stops, garages and landfills, depending on the specifics of each site of public transport. Cleaning and disinfection must be carried out with detergents and biocides that are approved by the Ministry of Health, with a shelf life of 12 hours. In Pachico you can find all the necessary products to maintain perfect hygiene in public transport.

– Employee protection

The next very important point in creating a safe environment in public transport is the protection of its employees. Protection requires the introduction of strict organization by carriers and institutions, through which to provide personal protective equipment for employees such as disinfectant, mask, gloves, helmet and others. They are in constant contact with different passengers, so it is advisable to be trained and encouraged to avoid touching the face with the hands, especially around the nose, eyes and mouth; to observe all norms of personal hygiene from washing and disinfection of hands to wearing reliable protective equipment.

Passenger responsibility

Public health depends on both public transport employees and passengers. After the advent of Covid-19, many people wondered if it was safe to travel by public transport. Which transport to choose: tram, subway, bus or other? There have always been and will always be risks of a different nature when traveling. In case you have to use public transport, with or without a state of emergency, there are a few steps to follow to protect yourself as much as possible from rampant infections, flu epidemics, etc.

– Wear clothes according to the weather

In public transport you may come across humid or stuffy air, bacteria, microorganisms, viruses and more. Therefore, you should be prepared with properly selected clothes for the season and daily weather, if you do not want to get off the bus wet or frozen, which increases the risk of disease.

– Protection from the sick

We advise you to minimize the possibility of being infected by another sick person on public transport. If you see someone coughing or sneezing, it’s a good idea to stay far enough away. Viruses can spread in a second, so it is advisable to protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes while the infection is still in the air.

– Avoid peak hours

We advise you to travel in hours with a small flow of people in public transport. It is also essential to choose a route that has the option to run with only one vehicle to reduce the risk of contact with other people.

– Choose your place

In our opinion, it is not good to sit near the doors of the vehicle, because the air flows move from outside to inside, and you can also sit in the current, catch a cold and thus increase the possibility of subsequent infection with viruses. Choose a place that will provide you with distance from other passengers. The risk of infection in buses, trolleys, trams and others depends on how crowded they are. If you travel in a relatively empty vehicle with good ventilation, this would minimize the risk of infection.

Get enough buffer time to travel so you can skip a crowded vehicle and have the option to wait for the next scheduled one. Adhere to the distance of the stops among the waiting people and among those who then get on the bus, tram, subway, trolley, etc.

– Avoid touching surfaces

Another piece of advice is to avoid holding on to railings and handrails. Viruses remain on them, which were previously spread in the air by other passengers as a result of coughing or sneezing. If possible, pay for your ticket with a card, so you will avoid touching paper money or coins. Build a routine that does not touch your face with your hands unless you have previously disinfected them with detergent. The face mask will protect you from accidental contact with the nose, mouth, eyes.

– Without consuming food and liquids on public transport

Consumption of all kinds of food and drinks is usually prohibited on public transport, but there are still many people who do not follow the rules. By eating, you would open up direct access of viruses to your body. It’s a good idea to wait until you get home or to the office, wash your hands, and then eat.

We hope these recommendations help you work and travel in a safe public transport environment with minimal risk to your health and that of others.