[In-Depth Look] Wise Public Transportation Usage Strategies in the COVID-19 Era

Lee Jun, Associate Research Fellow, Traffic Safety and Disaster Prevention Research Center, Korea Transport Institute

Since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, a global pandemic has been underway. As of July 7, South Korea alone has reported 13,181 confirmed cases and 285 deaths. The economic damage caused is so vast that even estimating it is difficult. Some say that the COVID-19 crisis marks a dividing line between BC (Before Corona) and AC (After Corona), signaling profound social changes. In this unprecedented disaster with no safe zones anywhere in the world, what should we do? Although quarantine and hygiene management are being strengthened across society, we cannot feel safe until the invisible virus that has entered our lives is defeated.

More than anyone else, office workers and students must find ways to wisely use public transportation on their own. So how can we use public transportation more safely? First, personal hygiene must be prioritized before using public transportation. Guidelines such as handwashing, wearing masks, and cough etiquette have become basic common sense, but unavoidable passenger contact, touching handrails, seats, seat belts, and unconscious touching of the face and mask while using public transportation are often overlooked. Passengers using public transportation should always be aware of these situations and frequently pay attention to personal hygiene by using hand sanitizers available nearby.

Second, efforts to maintain social distancing when using public transportation are necessary. Passengers should try to keep distance from others by lining up with spacing or avoiding peak hours. However, this is difficult to achieve by individual will alone. For this reason, students may need online classes or internet education programs, and office workers may require the introduction of work styles such as telecommuting, staggered working hours, or concentrated work shifts.

Third, public transportation operators need to make efforts for disinfection and sanitation. Currently, nationwide, passengers without masks are restricted from using public transportation. Measures such as converting some tissue vending machines near restrooms into mask vending machines are needed for passengers who cannot bring masks. Operators should provide and maintain hand sanitizers at ticket booths and inside vehicles so that passengers can use them whenever necessary. Additionally, frequent disinfection of areas touched by many passengers, such as handrails, seats, seat belts, and entry gates, must be conducted. Lastly, self-management to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is essential. If symptoms such as fever or vomiting occur, refrain from going to work or school to prevent possible transmission, and regularly check your temperature using thermal imaging cameras installed at main entrances.

Efforts to stay away from disasters are called evacuation. The "Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety" defines infectious diseases as disasters. However, infectious diseases are uniquely difficult to evacuate from. This means that when an infectious disease occurs, to stay away from disaster, one must stay away from people. If you cannot avoid it, you must protect yourself. In the post-corona era, public transportation must shift from focusing solely on rapid transit to becoming hygienic public transportation. Individuals must protect themselves through thorough hygiene management, and transportation workers must strive to create hygienic environments within transportation facilities. This will be the public transportation environment we will use in the AC (After Corona) era.

Someday, COVID-19 will disappear without a trace. However, even if the coronavirus is completely eradicated, second, third, and fourth waves of new viruses will continue to emerge. We must learn from the socioeconomic impact of this COVID-19 pandemic and prepare to respond wisely to future viral attacks. Now is the time to build resilient public transportation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.