MRT commuters this morning reported long but well-managed lines at some stations – only to step onto crowded trains without social distancing.
With more businesses reopening, more people are returning to work this week, many of whom had to endure long waits just to reach station platforms on the capital’s MRT system before they stepped onto packed trains.
“Entry to the MRT subway is being strictly controlled now that businesses are reopening. 25 minutes to get through the turnstiles at Huai Khwang,” Twitter user Billhorgan2005 said.
Thailand’s COVID-19 task force on Monday reported six new cases but no new fatalities, raising the total confirmed cases to 3,015 since the outbreak began in January.
Once commuters made it aboard the MRT’s trains this morning, many complained that the social distancing maintained at the station became worthless as they were packed with commuters.
Entry to the MRT subway is being strictly controlled now that businesses are reopening. 25 minutes to get through the turnstiles at Huai Khwang. pic.twitter.com/o72J3OVbS2
— Bill-in-Bangkok (@billhorgan2005) May 11, 2020
“What is the logic? Decrease the number of passengers while waiting but pack the passengers into the train?” Soft3n wrote.
On Friday, the BTS Skytrain announced that it would drastically cut train capacity by 75% in order to prevent crowding. Despite fears it would impact station platforms, those located downtown on Sukhumvit Line did not appear overcrowded around 9am.
As for the MRT, Sinzaniel tweeted a fear it could spawn a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
The outbreak surely will go wild again after the end of the [work from home] era,” Sinzaniel wrote. “Today I think people start to go to work again and the buses, BTS, and MRT are so packed people breathe neck to neck from each other.”
The system operator had yet to say anything about the concerns raised as of 11am.
While passengers expressed appreciation for the measures, some urged further steps to improve things.
“I understand that social distancing has to be in practice and I think they did great. However, they still can’t manage to run more trains so MRT please consider this issue quick. Some people come so early but they have to wait in line for half an hour. I think it’s not okay,” YourCatMiki tweeted.
เข้าใจเรื่อง social distancing นะคะ เรื่องการจัดการดีแล้ว แต่เรื่องการจัดขบวนรถให้เร็วขึ้นนี่ยังไม่สามารถรองรับได้เลยค่ะ ฝาก MRT พิจารณาที่เหอะค่ะ คนที่มาเช้า แต่ต้องมาเข้าแถวรอเป็นครึ่งชั่วโมงนี่คือไม่โอเคมั้ยคะ pic.twitter.com/cHfdMpOcy6
— ดิสอิสยัวร์แคทมิกิ 🐱 (@YourCatMiki) May 11, 2020
Logic คืออะไร ลดผู้โดยสารยืนรอ แต่ให้ผู้โดยสารเบียดกันข้างในรถ ที่อากาศปิด #MRT pic.twitter.com/EvOVVdgRrt
— ไรอั้น (@soft3n) May 11, 2020
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