Safety of passenger transportation in public transport inn a pandemic condition

Abstract

In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are significant objective problems in terms of safe transportation of the population by public transport. A dynamic policy of rapid response in the transportation of people to reduce the contamination risk of passengers and drivers is ensured by the fact that during transportation it is necessary to allow municipal authorities to transport people without burdensome restrictions on the number of passengers in the cabin, adhere to the level of cabin vehicle number seats of the maximum number of passengers. As it has been researched artificial underloading of a vehicle to avoid close contact with passengers does not affect the level of COVID-19 contamination, so this restriction is not rational, causing underloading and irrational significant financial losses of the carrier, resulting in likely dismissal of employees, respectively negative social effect. Recommendations have been made, such as the mandatory use of masks including gloves, increased ventilation of the cabin, as well as the organization of boarding – exit of passengers only through the rear door and 100% contactless fare payment for maximum driver protection. This study is the basis for the formation of public transport policy with regard to determine the level of safety in COVID-19 and passenger comfort with the development of basics for measuring the perception of the most important factors of public transport convenience, minimum discomfort and maximum safety.

Key words: organization of transportation, passenger safety, public transport, passenger traffic, route