As we enter October, it is safe to say that 2020 has been a year full of unexpected challenges. That puts it mildly. The COVID-19 pandemic reoriented how we behave in our daily lives, forcing us to reconsider our personal security and what we do to keep others safe.
Among other things, this impacted how we travel. It’s been well reported that public transportation has suffered as less people opt to ride buses and trains, sheltering in place at home or looking for alternate ways to get from point A to point B.
That being said, across the country, local transit authorities have gone to great lengths to not only ensure adherence to public health protocols like wearing masks and disinfecting trains and buses, but they have even been limiting the capacity of travelers per vehicle. In most cases, they’ve been marking seating clearly with directional signs to ensure riders practice social distancing.
The Scientific American reports that little evidence exists to show public transportation poses an increased risk for contracting the coronavirus, largely due to all of these measures that have been put in place.
What can you do to ensure your own security and protect the health and well-being of others around you? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that those who use public transportation need to practice proper hygiene — wash your hands — wear a mask, sit away from others, and if you are feeling sick, look out for your fellow travelers by staying home.
Beyond COVID-19, you should also be wary of normal, pre-pandemic travel concerns when riding a subway or a public bus. These common sense concerns should especially be at the front of college students’ minds, particularly freshman who might be traveling and living away from home for the first time this fall. Loyola University Chicago provides some key tips. They include:
Sit near the bus driver if possible.
Chose an aisle seat so you can get up and leave quickly if a problem arises.
When waiting for transportation, choose a well-lit space so you aren’t waiting alone in the dark, particularly at night.
Don’t fall asleep while traveling — be vigilant.
Essentially, the pandemic has made us more cognizant of public safety when on our commutes. While a difficult time, this is a positive thing — it emphasizes that people need to act in the greater good to keep themselves and others safe.