ComfortDelGro trials plastic shield in 400 taxis to protect cabbies

Singapore

TO minimise contact between cabbies and their passengers and reduce the spread of Covid-19, ComfortDelGro Corporation is installing plastic shields in 400 of its taxis.

Called V-shield, the plastic shield will cover the driver's cabin entirely, with two "window" openings for passengers to make payment, the mainboard-listed group said on Wednesday.

The shield measures 1m x 0.7m x 0.6m and is made of an unbreakable material which can serve as added protection against violent physical harm. It also encases only the driver's cabin area and will not obstruct airflow in the rest of the cab.

The locally-manufactured shields have been trademarked by Moove Media - the group's outdoor advertising arm.

About 50 taxis will be installed with the shield every week from Wednesday. If the trial is successful, more taxis will be fitted with them, ComfortDelGro said.

ComfortDelGro Taxi chief executive Ang Wei Neng said the group's cabbies are exposed to passengers throughout the day and night. Although the 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," Mr Ang added.

ComfortDelGro shares closed at S$1.55 on Wednesday, down S$0.01 or 0.6 per cent on a cum-dividend basis.