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Infected himself with the coronavirus
Of: Nellie Håkansson
Published:
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Congestion on public transportation is increasing, despite repeated calls to avoid riding public transportation during peak hours.
Something that worries bus drivers in Stockholm.
– It is so full that only a hug is missing, says driver Pierre Mokdasi, 67.
In August, travel began to pick up, although the number of travelers is lower than at the same time last year.
It shows a new compilation of the traffic situation in recent weeks, which is behind the 21 administrative boards of the country.
“You can barely move”
It also means that congestion is increasing. Especially during peak traffic hours.
– Then you can barely move on the bus. There are so many people that only the hug is missing, says Pierre Mokdasi, 67, bus driver and host of service in Stockholm.
– People are asked to separate a bit, but go in one ear and out the other.
Photo: LOTTE FERNVALL
Pierre Mokdasi, 67, bus driver and service host.
“Irresponsible”
Pierre Mokdasi has worked as a bus driver for more than 40 years. He says the congestion is worse twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon.
Account of a trip a couple of weeks ago when he drove line 4 towards Gullmarsplan.
– There were a lot of people, maybe 30 to 40 people standing. An empty bus was coming behind me, so I urged people to leave mine and get on the bus, he says.
– It was only a minute between my bus and the other.
Nobody got off.
– People prefer to stop and almost hug, than to change buses. I think this is irresponsible, both for him and for others.
Why do you think this is so?
– You’re in a rush to work. You’re out at the last second.
Photo: PONTUS ORRE
People at the Slussen bus terminal.
Infected himself with the coronavirus
Starting in March, all passengers will board buses through the back doors, in an attempt to protect drivers. Something that Pierre appreciates.
As a driver, I have a distance of three meters to passengers. It is the customers who are affected because they are quite close to each other.
But despite the distance, he has not been entirely healthy. In early March, he became infected with the coronavirus himself and stayed home for three weeks.
– I do not wish my worst enemy the same disease. That’s the feeling I get when I see people crowded into the bus.
Several colleagues have also been infected with the virus. Some have also died as a result of the disease, says Pierre Mokdasi.
– They try to do a lot for us, the drivers and the management listens to us, but I would have liked to see a plexiglass between the customers and the driver.
– He would have felt safer.
Photo: LOTTE FERNVALL
Pierre Mokdasi himself was infected.
“Don’t respect it”
Bus drivers are not mandated to turn passengers away, as long as they do not disturb order or are under the influence of alcohol.
However, drivers have a special coronavirus button that they can press, Pierre says, to make the “crowded bus” text visible.
– But not many people respect that. When people come in through the back door, we are powerless.
Do you believe The Public Health Agency the calls are enough?
– Not always. When people stand at the bus stop, they keep their distance, but as soon as they get on the bus, everything is forgotten, says Pierre Mokdasi.
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