Transport dept gears up to run crowd-free buses

In a circular to the transport corporations, Transport Secretary Dharmendra Pratap Yadav instructed the corporations to ensure the supply of buses and frequencies as per need. If possible, the corporations are asked to increase the buses or frequencies on high demand routes. The lockdown in the State ends on May 17, if the government decides not to extend.

“Maximum allowable passenger capacity should be below 50 per cent. Allow rear door for boarding and front door for alighting. Disinfecting the buses after completion of every trip is important,” the circular said.

The department also mandated masks or cloths to cover the mouth. Those failing to wear masks will not be allowed to board the buses. Passengers should also maintain a distance of at least six feet among themselves while boarding and alighting as well at the bus stops.

Drivers and conductors should get temperatures checked before taking up their duty on a shift basis. Use of masks and gloves is mandatory, the circular instructed. Conductors should take over the role of crowd manager inside the bus and at halt locations.

Transport corporations will issue day cards and popularise monthly passes through more selling points and other means. “Adjust stop timings at the bus stand accordingly. Promote QR code-based payments, mobile payments and e-payments such as PayTM, Google Pay, Jio Pay and others. All managing directors are requested to follow the instructions without fail post lockdown,” the circular instructed.

For crowd management at bus terminals, depots and interchanges, additional staff will be deployed.