Comments closedPublic transport experts are calling for the wearing of cloth masks to be mandated on trains, buses and trams as COVID-19 restrictions ease and Australians return to work, but medical experts remain divided on whether they are necessary.
The transport union’s call is in line with a growing push from medical professionals around the world for mandatory face masks, including in Australia where the “Masks for All” campaign protests against the official advice they are not needed.
Associate Professor David Allen, an occupational physician involved in the campaign, said multiple studies around the world showed cloth masks reduced the risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2 through droplets, including by people without symptoms.
“A large proportion of the spread is from people who don’t know they have the virus … It’s a low-cost, simple intervention and, in those countries that do have it, the risk of transmission is measurably lower.”
Australia’s chief nurse, Alison McMillan, said on Friday the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) infection control group remained that “there is no evidence for the need of general use of masks in the community”.
McCauley, Jacks (2020-05-22)
Tag: Covid-19
‘Almost 300,000 city workers would need to find a new way to get to work under new physical distancing measures for public transport announced on Monday, which only allow for 12 people on buses and 32 on train carriages.’
Rabe (2020-05-20)
My Quotes
Comments closedAnd while Qantas confirmed on Tuesday that it would offer optional face masks to its passengers, Transport for NSW said current health advice still didn’t indicate masks were needed on public transport.
University of Technology Sydney transport expert Mathew Hounsell said one way the government increase density on the network, which is currently at around 20 per cent capacity, was through face masks.
“They are going [for] very strong on the distancing on public transport, there should be some discussion over time whether we can use some infection control measures on public transport to increase capacity,” he said.
Rabe (2020-05-20)
It’s great to see the well-connected lobby groups also calling for improved active transport.
Comments closedThe [Committee for Sydney] is also advocating for the fast-tracking of the state’s planned Greater Sydney cycle network to be completed in three years as a post-COVID-19 economic stimulus initiative.
The Harbour Bridge proposal, by cycling group Bike North, would see the far-western traffic lane of the bridge reserved for south-bound bike users and the existing cycleway restricted for riders heading north to allow space for social distancing in transit.
Thompson (2020-05-19)
Sydney’s bus drivers are being told to accept all passengers, even if they’re at capacity, in spite of the Berejiklian government’s new social distancing measures on public transport.
Rabe, Smith (2020-05-19)
My Quotes
University of Technology transport expert Mathew Hounsell said the government was likely designing its new “cautious” transport strategy to be deliberately prohibitive to force anyone that didn’t have to travel to stay at home.
“I think that might be part of their strategy, and it’s reasonable, sometimes restricting supply for an [oversubscribed] good is a way of getting [people] to do things differently,” Mr Hounsell said.
“You’ll either need five times the buses, or you can only move a fifth of the people. It’s simple math.”
Rabe, Smith (2020-05-19)
I would say the strategy would encourage, induce, or motivate people to change their travel patterns. For example, restricted transport supply would encouraging people to shop locally.
Comments closedComments closed‘Transport experts warn there could be a tough road ahead as Australians take to private transport in their return to work;
It’s led authorities to urge for staggered commutes, and plans to bolster car parking capacity in major CBDs.’
Coote (2020-05-18)
‘Hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders will have to change their commuting habits over the coming weeks as the state government looks to impose strict controls on the public transport network that may result in traffic havoc on the roads.’
Rabe (2020-05-16)
My Quotes
Comments closedTransport experts have warned Sydney’s road network is unlikely to cope if everyone swaps their bus or train commute for a car.
“We are looking at basically ‘carmageddon’, where all the roads are full with the people that were on buses and trains [but are now] in cars,” University of Technology transport expert Mathew Hounsell said.
“You’re going to have the underlying problem that the road system cannot support all of the people that will need to come off public transport.”
He said as well as temporary bike lanes and a shake-up to some bus services, the best way the government could maintain some order on the roads would be to keep people working at home or commuting outside of peak hours.
“There will be roughly 800,000 people now needing to travel without using public transport, they can’t all go onto the roads,” Mr Hounsell said.
“We need to make some choices between what people are used to versus what will keep people safe in the long term.”
Rabe (2020-05-16)
‘The state government may be forced to open up more city parking and build temporary bike lanes as commuters avoid public transport when offices in the heart of Sydney start to reopen.
Transport experts predict the easing of pandemic restrictions will cause a surge in traffic in the coming weeks as people avoid trains, buses and ferries. The pressure on Sydney’s roads will also be hit by tough social distancing rules imposed at train stations and on buses for those who do choose to take public transport.’
Rabe (2020-05-15)
Continue readingLimits on train commuters, more CBD parking and bike lanes as Sydney returns to work
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