Public transport services can now operate at full capacity, says Ismail Sabri

A file picture of Rapid KL LRT trains in operation. - ONG SOON HIN/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Public transport services can now operate at full capacity, says Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said buses, ferries and trains, as well as LRT and MRT, that allow standing passengers could now ply routes at full load.

“Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place and operators must ensure it is followed by the passengers.

“This includes wearing face masks at all times while on public transport, downloading the MySejahtera application and providing hand sanitisers, ” he said on Thursday (June 11).

Ismail also said flights were also now allowed to operate at full capacity, as with express buses and e-hailing services.

For those travelling on flights, airlines must practise the SOP, including to take passengers’ temperature and make it compulsory to put on face masks.

The minister said express buses could also operate at full capacity and with no time limit, compared to during the movement control order (MCO) when night travel was not allowed and buses could only accommodate passengers at half capacity,

“Express bus companies must get their passengers to register, either via MySejahtera or manually. This is important for contact tracing in case there is a passenger travelling with them who has Covid-19.

“Throughout the journey, passengers and drivers must put on face masks. Temperature checks must be done before they board the bus. At the end of each trip, the vehicle must be sanitised and cleaned, ” he said.

Ismail also said there would be no time limit on e-hailing services and drivers could take passengers according to vehicle capacity.

During the MCO, e-hailing services could only operate until 10pm with a limit of two people in the car.

“Apart from ensuring the driver, as well as passengers, download the MySejahtera application for contact tracing purposes, payment transactions must also be cashless.

“Face masks must be used by the driver and the passengers, and the vehicle should be sanitised when a passenger is dropped off before taking another passenger, ” he said,

The recovery MCO which is enforced until Aug 31 sees the relaxation of more social and economic sectors to alleviate the worst economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.