20 SMRT Buses Converted To Ferry Covid-19 By End Of Next Week
As the number of Covid-19 patients increases, the demand for ambulances and other dedicated transport has naturally risen too.
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To meet the surge in demand, 3 Singapore firms are working together to zhng 20 SMRT buses so they too, can be used to ferry Covid-19 between places.
While the fleet of buses will only come into operation next week, Mdm Ho Ching gave us a preview of the buses via a Facebook post on Saturday (25 Apr).
SMRT Buses equipped with safety features thanks to work from 3 local companies
These “Covid-19 transporters” are the collaborative work between 3 local companies — SMRT, HOPE Technik, and Liannex Corporation.
Each of the new buses will be split into 2 compartments — one for the driver and the other for passengers. Each section will have their own air-conditioning system, presumably to prevent the virus from spreading.
Extra seats will be installed in the driver compartment for other officers making the trips.
Each bus will also have an “emergency door” allowing personnels in the driver’s compartment to come over to the passenger’s ‘carriage’.
This is especially useful if a passenger requires the attention of a paramedic.
The buses, according to Mdm Ho, will start operating by the end of next week and will facilitate the transportation of Covid-19 patients between dormitories, hospitals, and community care facilities.
“Version 2” of these buses will come with negative pressure system
After the first batch comprising 20 buses, an additional 30 of such vehicles will allegedly be ordered.
“Version 2”, which presumably refers to the 30 buses from the next batch, will even feature a negative pressure system.
With that, the air from the passenger’s compartment will be “scrubbed and cleaned before being vented out”.
According to Mdm Ho, these buses can be driven by anyone with a Class 4 Driving License. She urged those interested in the position to apply directly to SMRT.
Hope new buses will provide drivers with the protection required
Hopefully, these buses will provide drivers with the protection they need when ferrying Covid-19 patients.
Kudos to the 3 companies who came up with the invention, showing that while the virus has kept us separated, our determination in overcoming the pandemic has brought us together in a whole new way.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
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