Be prepared to shell out more to move around on buses as the bus operators have decided to hike the bus fares. The bus operators have decided to charge for two seats from one passenger as due to lockdown restrictions private bus operators have been permitted to resume bus services with limited passengers. 

The State Government on Friday, in view of several upcoming competitive examinations in September, decided to resume public bus transport facilities and open hospitality units for the movement of a large number of examinees and their guardians. The inter-state bus services are likely to resume after more than six months from September 1.

As per State Government directive, private bus operators have been allowed to resume bus services with just half the sanctioned passengers’ strength. If a bus has 50 seats capacity only 25 passengers will be allowed to travel. Kishore Mantri of Mantri Bus Service said, “The State Government has allowed resuming bus service with half the sanctioned passengers’ capacity. We have bear fuel expenses and road tax. In such a situation we are left with no other alternative but to hike fares following social distancing norms.”

Meanwhile, transport secretary, K Ravi Kumar said, “State Government doesn’t fix bus fare, private bus operators fix it.”

However, the transport secretary justified the bus operator’s decision to charge two seats fare from a passenger. He said, “If a passenger occupies two passengers seat than they have to give fares of two seats.”

Also, as per the State Government norms, bus operators will not be allowed to pick passengers from the middle of the route. Mantri said, “Passengers from originating to final destination will

be given seats.”

Meanwhile, the bus operators have been asked to follow Covid guidelines such as after every trip of buses will be sanitized. Wearing masks has been made mandatory for passengers, also if  passengers have no masks then it is the duty of bus operators to provide masks to passengers.

Meanwhile, the bus operators have demanded deployment of a medical team at the bus stand. The medical team will carry out the thermal scanner of passengers.

Also,  it is the duty of bus operators to carry out regular test of drivers, conductors and helpers of buses.  Also, bus operators have been advised to download the Arogya Setu app and told to keep detailed records of passengers such as name, address, mobile number and other details. Every bus operator should regularly share details of their drivers and staff enroute.