The Department of Transport has announced new measures to protect its staff and customers from the spread of COVID-19, with travellers banned from the first row of seats on buses and trams.
The Department said the seats had been made unavailable in order to reduce the risk of infection to drivers.
“For the health and safety of our drivers, we have social distancing measures in place on board trams and buses,” the Department said.
“Social distancing measures are currently in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” it said.
“We’re asking passengers to consider staggering travel times in the mornings and evenings on trains, trams and buses if they are able to.”
It said sanitation levels had increased on trains, trams and buses.
“On metropolitan trains, in addition to the current cleaning arrangements, all carriages will undergo nightly sanitation, with all touch surfaces wiped down and entire carriages sprayed with disinfectant,” the Department said.
It said nightly sanitation of “touch surfaces” and daily cleaning was being conducted in trams and buses.
The Department said all coach services would continue to operate as timetabled to all stops between Victoria and South Australia, and freight passage was ensured to guarantee the movement of essential goods.
