The city bus service of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) resumed its operations on Monday after a span of over six months. In spite of the fares being doubled, more than 1200 Ranciites availed the bus service on the first say itself post the lockdown.
As per the standard operating procedures issued by the Transport Department, the buses will operate with only 50 percent of its capacity while passengers without a mask will not be allowed to avail the service.
“Keeping the problems being faced by the residents of Ranchi and the frequent enquiries being received by RMC regarding the operation of City buses, it was decided to start the bus service. All norms related to Covid-19 issued by the district administration, State and Central government will be strictly adhered to. Sanitation of the vehicles will also be done on a regular basis to ensure utmost safety and hygiene,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Shankar Yadav.
On the first day 16 buses were seen plying the City roads on the two specified routes- from Kutchery Chowk to Rajendra Chowk and from Kishori Chowk to Dhurva. Prior to the lockdown where the fares were Rs 5 and Rs 15 respectively, now with the vehicles being operated with 50 percent passengers the prices on the two routes have also been doubled and now cost Rs 10 and Rs 30.
As per sources in RMC, with the number of passengers making use of the bus service on Monday, the civic body has planned to add eight more vehicles to the fleet from Tuesday onwards.
To ensure utmost safety drivers and conductors have been provided with masks and gloves. In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, passengers are only allowed to board the bus with masks and after a thermal screening is done while hand sanitiser dispensers have also been installed. A register with passenger details including name, address, contact number, pick up point and destination is also being maintained.
Presently, out of the 51 buses, the civic body has provided 14 to the district administration. Out of these nine are being used to ferry cleaning personnel while the remaining five are being used by the health workers in the State capital.