Lockdown: Private Bus Operators not to ply vehicles

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The private bus operators have refused to ply their vehicles even after the Assam Government gave relaxation in the ongoing third-phase of lockdown. The operators said that running of buses with 50 per cent capacity would prove 'suicidal' for their business that have been already hit by lockdown.

"We'll have to pay from our pockets if the buses are allowed to run with only 50 per cent of its original capacity. Our business has already been hit hard by the first and second phases of lockdown. We can give a second thought if the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) collaborates with the private operators to run buses," said an official of the Network Travels that operates most of the long-distance private and luxury buses in the State.

The official further said that his organization is ready to run buses with 50 per cent capacity only on the condition that the State Government compensates its losses. Other long distance bus operators including Green Valley, Blue Hills and AIR Super are also of the same opinion, emphasizing that they are waiting for a relief package from the government. "Under the present circumstances, it will be impossible for us to operate buses," an official of Green Valley Travels said.

The city bus operators in Guwahati on Tuesday rolled out 100 out of 700 buses. Secretary of Guwahati Metro Transport Association Bipul Kalita said that if the city buses run with 50 per cent capacity, every bus owner is likely to lose Rs 1,000 daily after incurring the cost of operation.

"Today we have operated 100 buses. Even if we can manage on a 'No profit no loss' status, we might continue to run 100 buses in the days to come," Kalita said, adding that "drivers and conductors have been provided with face masks and sanitizers to follow the safety measures against COVID-19."

Meanwhile, the ASTC management is yet to take any final decision on a tie-up with the private operators to run the long-distance buses. "The number of passengers making inter-district travelling is low. Once the passengers load increases, the ASTC will take a call on the issue," said an ASTC official.

On other hand, nearly 800 out of 12,000 Ola and Uber taxis were seen plying on city roads on Tuesday. "Majority of our drivers went to their homes at villages in different districts during the lockdown. These drivers are yet to return to the city to operate the app-operated cabs," an official at Ola office said. He added that the drivers have been asked to strictly follow the COVID-safety norms such as sanitizing their vehicles at frequent intervals, using face masks, hand gloves and sanitizers.

"Strict action will be taken against any driver who would break the COVID protocols. As per the instruction of the government a single taxi can carry maximum three people including the driver.

Meanwhile, people — who have come out from their homes for various reasons — are complaining about the lack of adequate public transport. Even though the ASTC is claiming to have operated nearly 100 city buses, many commuters were seen waiting on roads for long hours. Some complained that a few buses carried more than 50 per cent passengers making them unsafe for others to get into such vehicles. 

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