Public transport restrictions may worsen outbreak, says Loke

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 6 years ago · Published on 23 Mar 2020 6:24PM · 5 Comments

Former transport minister Anthony Loke says the government's move to restrict public transport operating hours between 10am and 5pm may cause passenger numbers to spike during the allotted hours, risking more Covid-19 infections as a result. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 23, 2020.

PUTRAJAYA’S move to disallow public transport operations from 10am to 5pm during the Covid-19 movement-control order (MCO) is counterproductive in curbing more infections, said DAP’s Anthony Loke. 

The former transport minister said on Facebook today that people who rely on public buses to go to markets or supermarkets to buy necessities and food will have to do so before 10am.

“This move will also increase the number of passengers going to work at that time, which is something to avoid at this point.

“Secondly, most supermarkets only open after 10am and for those leaving and returning between 10am and 5pm, they have no choice but to use taxi or e-hailing services.

“Wouldn’t this add to their daily expenses?” he said.

Senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the restricted times for public transport operations as a new measure under the MCO, which ends on March 31.

Public transport is now restricted to four hours in the morning, from 6am to 10am, and five hours 5pm to 10pm in the evening, supposedly to discourage people from leaving their homes.

Ismail Sabri did not say to which public transport services do the restrictions apply, but said that taxis and e-hailing platforms will continue as usual.

Loke said the government should reconsider the move and look at other options.

“I urge the government to review the measures and I recommend that all public transport operators be given the flexibility to determine their operating schedule by reducing non-peak travel between 10am to 5pm.

“This will help operators reduce their operating costs and at the same time, these  services will not be cut off.” – March 23, 2020.

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Comments

  • The coup detat Ministers in PN will not listen to Anthony Loke, instead they will allow the rakyat to suffer because they were not voted in by the rakyat to run the country. They are in the cabinet to loot.

    Posted 6 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Every steps must be taken cautiously. The transport ministry should tell us their reasoning.

    Posted 6 years ago by J Zhen · Reply

    • The Transport Minister is non-existent at the moment.

      Posted 6 years ago by Tan Kenny · Reply

  • Restricting people to go out at a specific time has the nett effect of over crowding people within the restricted time frame. This obviously runs counter to the objective of human distancing.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Well said Loke. Exactly the people's thoughts in mind rather than those dungus who thinks its a great idea. The fact that having more trains and buses running more frequently is exactly creating social distancing for the passengers. Those stupid dungus who come out with harebrained ideas like this just doesn't know what it means for people who actually takes public transportation to go to work. If they want to go back early they cannot because there is no public transportation running for them.
    People after doing their banking or other things also cannot go back if they missed that strict schedule. It's really a dungu idea.

    Posted 6 years ago by Free Mind · Reply