Closed or open bus doors - ask the Swedish Work Environment Authority

2020-05-08T14:06:15.489Z

Should the front doors of the city buses in Uppsala be reopened or kept closed? The issue divides the employer and the union and decisions on the issue are delayed. At the same time, the closed doors have so far cost UL between SEK 60 and 90 million.

Since mid-March, the UL buses have had the front doors closed to protect the bus drivers from the coronam seat.

When travelers instead go in the back, many people prefer to cheat and not buy a ticket. A cheat that costs UL up to SEK 1.5 million every day.

- We want the front doors open and protect the drivers with plexiglass, says Tommy Rydbäck, technical manager at Gamla Uppsalabuss who runs the buses for UL.

Municipal security officer Jafar Sarehkhani doesn't like that idea.

- The Plexiglas are not comprehensive and we do not think they provide adequate infection protection. It is regrettable the lost revenue, but we must put drivers' safety first, says Jafar Sarehkhani.

Decided at the Work Environment Authority

The question now lies with the Swedish Work Environment Authority, which is expected to announce next week whether or not the proposed plexiglass will measure.

UL Press Manager Helena Klange notes that the issue is complicated.

- We continue to lose a lot of money, but it is also very important for us that the drivers feel safe and do not get sick - we have no driver we can not drive the buses, she says.

The municipal security officer has come up with a suggestion for another solution: That a card reader is installed in the middle of the bus.

- It is not possible, there is no one to buy. And if you order them, it will take far too long to get them, says Helena Klange, press manager at UL.

What UL does about the congestion:

Javascript is turned off

Javascript must be turned on to play video