Public transport users jittery and obedient as economy reopens

CORONAVIRUS | As some Klang Valley residents commute to work today on public transport, they were greeted with new experiences.

Queues, carriages and seats are marked to encourage social distancing. Staff are on hand to conduct temperature checks on commuters.

Checks by Malaysiakini at several locations in the Klang Valley revealed that the volume of public transport users was low at peak hours this morning.

Social distancing was also generally observed by passengers, but many who spoke to Malaysiakini said they still fear catching the deadly Covid-19 virus.

Human Resource executive Syamimi Mohd Halimi said she was worried that the reopening of the economy today would result in the usual morning scrum in train stations.

She left her home an hour earlier than usual, but her worst fears did not materialise.

"During the MCO period, I would leave the house at 8am... Today everyone could fit in a single carriage," she said.

Business executive Aw Yong Hui donned a face shield on top of wearing a surgical mask to travel on the LRT.

"This is to protect me despite government efforts to protect us by conducting temperature checks and encouraging social distancing.

"I hope this practice continues and when things get better, things will go back to normal," he said when met at the Pasar Seni LRT station.

KTM Komuter passenger Chung Ro San told Malaysiakini that today was his first day on the train line, and he was stunned by the low number of passengers at peak hour.

"Usually, I would have to wait for three or four trains to pass before I get to board one.

"Today, even at peak hour, I could count the number of people on the train - 20 max," he said.

Although most passengers seem happy that most people are observing social distancing, not everyone seemed to have gotten the message.

Management trainer Karl James said he saw children on the MRT today which he believed was not appropriate as the government has urged the children and the elderly to continue sheltering at home.

"I've been travelling on the MRT every day during the MCO period. This is the first time I saw children.

"I hope Malaysians will abide by the instructions from the government to safeguard us all," he said.

RapidKL bus driver Othman Mohd Zam told Malaysiakini at the usually busy Pasar Seni bus stop that the crowd was manageable today.

"Things get busy between 8am and 9am but not today. Passengers do listen when I tell them to space themselves out," he said.

Muhamad Rabbain Mohd Zaki, who works at a beverage stall at the Pasar Seni LRT station, said he was happy to see customers again.

"I tell them to keep their distance when lining up. All of them wore face masks," he said. - Mkini