Passengers accompanied by family members will be allowed to sit next to each other on buses to deal with overcrowding as schools begin to reopen, said the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).
BMTA director Surachai Eamvachirasakul said schools will begin to open next Wednesday as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) prepares to enforce phase 5 of lockdown easing.
The BMTA, he said, will allow passengers from the same family or those travelling together to sit next to each other to reduce congestion on public transport.
He said that after schools reopen, the number of passengers riding buses will increase to 900,000 per day. As a result, the BMTA is arranging 3,000 buses to make 25,000 trips per day in response to the expected surge.
He added current health measures will be maintained as alcohol-based disinfectant will be used to clean areas such as seats, handrails and buzzers, and hand gel will also be provided.
In addition, social distancing will be enforced by marking one-metre distance standing points and sitting areas while seats with space for two passengers will be reserved for those from the same family or those travelling together.
If a bus reaches its capacity, the driver will alert commuters with a sign on the front of the vehicle.
Moreover, the Thai Chana QR code will be placed in multiple locations so people can check in and be notified about any potential exposure risk by the government.
He said bus conductors and drivers have been ordered to follow the measures. They must have their temperatures taken, undergo an alcohol and blood pressure test, wear masks and oversee social distancing of passengers.
In a separate development, Office of the Basic Education Commission secretary-general Amnat Wichayanuwat said yesterday schools must take measures to ensure all students and school personnel are safe from Covid-19.