Tomorrow begins “PHASE 2” to deal with the spread of COVID 19 and the category of public transport workers, especially those who are on the front line in direct contact with users, will experience it in the same way as Healthcare Workers experienced PHASE 1: with insufficient protection and with “do-it-yourself” supports to welcome hundreds of patients a day infected by the VIRUS who went to hospitals with inadequate reception.
With the start of Phase Two starting tomorrow, Monday 4 May, some rules have been introduced to be respected during train travel. It will be mandatory to always wear a protective mask on board, as well as to respect the safety distance indicated by the health authorities and the indications present on board the trains and in the stations. During the journey, it is required to be cooperative with the railway staff and to use the routes and doors to enter and exit the trains as indicated by the information panels. As regards the stay inside the stations, it is required to show cooperation with the staff entering or exiting the gates, following identified routes and the indications of the information panels.
While in PHASE 1 what happened to Healthcare Workers (who have counted over hundreds of deaths from COVID-19) may have the mitigating factor (although not acceptable) of the unpredictability of how the VIRUS manifested itself, for our sector it is unacceptable that workers are sent to the "fell"! (Yes! Because that's how it will be if citizens do not observe the behaviors dictated by the Institutions) with the excuse of not having experience of how to deal with this "invisible enemy". It's true that the enemy is invisible, but travelers are not! They are at the turnstiles of the subways and funiculars, at bus, tram and trolleybus stops. Evaluating and planning, with the use of more men and resources, that there may be a significant increase in users in PHASE 2 only has the burden of the cost to face.
"Dear colleagues - explains Francesco Falco of Faisa Cisal - this is exactly what all the companies that carry out TPL in our Region have thought about, despite continuing to receive 100% of the existing service contracts from the Campania Region, having hundreds of workers supported by the Bilateral Fund and with 100% of the cost of the expenses incurred to deal with this epidemic covered by the Government through the CURA ITALIA Decree. They have left us "alone" at the mercy of what could happen tomorrow and which will depend, solely, on the number of people who will use public transport, if staggered in the time slots, with the prescribed protections and if they will observe the distancing constraint. Everything should then be adjusted during the process, it all depends on what will happen starting from Monday 4 May. If "serious" events occur, then we will immediately proceed to adjust the situation by analyzing with the Union the changes to be made following the Guidelines issued by the Campania Region on 1/5; if instead everything proceeds normally, according to the expectations of the companies, then things will go ahead while waiting for the next phase.
“Colleagues,” concludes Falco, “the invitation I extend to everyone is to be very careful tomorrow! As soon as you notice any difficulty, of any kind, that could put the safety of your health and your families at risk, stop and immediately call those who must intervene and alert the Police.
Also, immediately report to the Union, sending photos, videos and messages, of everything that happens and that creates danger to your safety. It is true that we are at war against an invisible enemy but those who continue to fight this war without fear and in the service of citizens deserve Respect”.
Article published on May 3, 2020 - 16:21 pm
