'Public transport still safe': Minister Ong Ye Kung

Public transport remains 'very safe' with a slew of precautions enforced by transportation providers and the cooperation of commuters.

For example, the air on the train is renewed every six minutes, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung on 14 May 2021. Mr. Ong was responding to a question during an inter-ministry COVID-19 task force press conference on the safety measures implemented on public transport amidst the rising number of community cases.

He noted that ridership levels on trains and buses remain at about 70% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. This is projected to decline given the series of additional restrictions that will take effect from 16 May 2021, with work from home becoming the new norm.

Despite the fall in ridership, trains and buses have been running at the same frequencies as those before COVID-19. "Where there is some crowding (on trains), it is often at a particular station and particular time, and one station later, it disperses," he said. This aids in the prevention of clusters forming.