S’pore Buses Might Have Plastic Screen To Protect Bus Drivers Not Because Of Covid-19 But Unreasonable Passengers

For a while, a plastic shield around a bus driver’s seat was thought to serve a dual purpose: to protect the driver and prospective passengers from possible virus transmission. But now, it seems that it serves another dual purpose:

To ensure safety and protect the driver from unruly passengers.

Lest you’re unaware, there has been a steady incline in particularly rude passengers since the outbreak began.

More often than not, they reacted violently when they were caught with no mask on, with bus drivers subject to actual beatings in broad daylight.

And so, it’s really little wonder how the plastic screen has a renewed purpose now…

Though in light of recent circumstances, I don’t think anyone will disapprove.

S’pore Buses Might Have Plastic Screen To Protect Bus Drivers Not Because Of Covid-19 But Unreasonable Passengers

According to The Straits Times, the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) is seriously considering the implementation of a plastic shield around a bus driver’s seat.

The idea, which floated two years ago, was previously ruled out as drivers said the screens reflected light and affected driving.

But after a recent spate of incidents, wherein bus captains have found themselves being verbally abused or physically assaulted by commuters, the problem has reportedly come to a head.

Said NTWU executive secretary Melvin Yong: “In the light of the recent cases of bus captains being verbally abused or physically assaulted by commuters, NTWU is revisiting the idea of installing plastic shields to better protect bus captains – both in terms of virus and assault prevention.

“NTWU will work with LTA and the PTOs (public transport operators) to study the various options available, and once there is a good prototype, we will look at scaling and implementing it in the buses.”

According to the news report, nearly 40 similar cases of assault have been reported this year on SBS Transit’s buses alone, with around half of them mask-related.

This is up from 33 cases in the entirety of last year, with incidents routinely being fare-related.

Learning From Its Mistake

NTWU has expressed that it will be taking into account the 2018 trial failure.

This time, an improved or different material will be used for screens so as to reduce the glare from the plastic shields.

And even with the new implementation in place, bus drivers will still be able to get in and out of their seat easily to help those with physical disabilities board the bus.

Previous Instances

It seems that cases of bus captains being verbally abused or physically assaulted by commuters have been especially prevalent of late.

On 15 Sep 2020, a man had boarded service 21 along Pasir Ris Drive 6 without wearing his mask at around 2.45pm.

When told by the bus captain to wear his mask, he reportedly put on the mask and started hurling vulgarities at the bus captain, non-stop, for two bus stops.

The man later grabbed the bus captain’s neck and collar and held him tightly for more than a minute.

Ignoring the bus captain’s pleas to stop, he started raining punches on his head while the bus captain held up both arms in an effort to protect himself.

According to SBS Transit, the incident had lasted 12 minutes.

And on 20 Aug, a few days before the neck gaiter incident, a man got violent with a driver when the latter asked the former to wear his mask properly.

The driver simply reminded the man to pull his mask up over his nose, but the man lowered it even further to expose his mouth instead.

And when the driver told him once again to wear his mask properly, the man scolded the driver and grabbed the bus driver’s shirt so hard the buttons came undone.

And a week before that, another passenger had reportedly spat at a bus captain twice and even said he’ll make the bus driver “lose his job”.

Why?

Because the driver reminded him to wear his mask properly and reported him to the Operations Control Centre when he refused.

Keep Civil At All Times

In such tumultuous times, it’s understandable that one might feel a little… ‘pent up’.

However, taking it out on the bus driver would not solve the problem.

Considering how they pilot buses for our convenience day in day out, the least we could do is to avoid troubling them. Not pile more on top. 

And so, I implore everyone;

Just wear a mask out.

After all, it’s not just because the driver says so.

It’s because the mask is essentially, in the end, protecting everyone and you.

So do yourself a favour, do everyone a favour and most importantly do the bus captain a favour…

And just wear the damn mask.

Nobody will think any less of you for doing so.

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