ComfortDelGro trials plastic shields to protect taxi drivers in Singapore

Singapore (VNA) – Taxi giant ComfortDelGro Corp will install 400 of its cabs with plastic shields to separate drivers from passengers as an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The company said on May 20 that the V-shield is made of a hard, transparent plastic material. It covers the driver's cabin entirely and has two "window" openings for passengers to make payment.

It is also expected to serve as an added protection against any violent physical harm.

ComfortDelGro Taxi Chief Executive Ang Wei Neng said: "Our cabbies are exposed to passengers throughout the day and night. While our drivers take as much precaution as they can by wearing masks and constantly disinfecting their cabs, there is still a risk. These shields will further reduce that level of risk as it serves as an added layer of protection for the cabbies."

The shields will be installed in about 50 taxis each week starting from May 20. If the trial proves to be successful, more taxis will have V-shields installed.

ComfortDelGro is one of the biggest road transportation companies in the world, with 41,600 buses, taxis and chartered cars operating in Singapore, Australia, China, the UK, Ireland, Malaysia and Vietnam. Singapore is the company’s largest market with 17,400 taxis./.