KUALA LUMPUR: All modes of sea and land public transport services will be limited to 50 per cent of their maximum passenger capacities, effective May 25.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said this follows the National Security Council's (NSC) decision to tighten various standard operating procedures (SOP) to address the current Covid-19 pandemic situation nationwide.
He said air passenger and cargo services are exempted from this announcement because they are already facing low passenger capacity.
Despite this, airlines and passengers should strictly comply with SOPs as stipulated by the NSC and health ministry.
"Public transport is a vital service but during this extraordinary time, it has become crucial for all to contribute to reducing gatherings and movement of people.
"In this regard, the ministry sincerely hopes for public transport users' understanding and patience as we work together towards breaking the chain of Covid-19 transmission across the country.
"The ministry will monitor the situation from time to time to reduce inconvenience to transport users and the public at large as much as possible," he said in a statement tonight.
Wee further said for bus, ferry, rail and train services, the relevant public transport agencies under the ministry will undertake the respective adjustments to their schedules, including limiting service frequencies.
"Public transport users are encouraged to refer to the respective service providers' social media and websites for further details."
For taxis and e-hailing services, Wee said each passenger vehicle is limited to three persons (one driver and two passengers), including in larger vehicles such as 4WDs and vans.
He said members of the public should also refer to updates by the NSC for the latest SOPs.
Wee said travellers are also responsible for applying for inter-state and inter-district permits from the police as necessary before using any mode of public transport.
To encourage compliance to Covid-19 prevention SOPs, enforcement personnel would be on hand at various stations and terminals alongside each agency's security personnel to monitor the situation, he said.
"As always, the ministry strongly urges all public transport users to practice self-compliance with regards to the SOPs at all stations and terminals including using hand sanitisers, wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing wherever possible, and checking in with MySejahtera QR codes where required."