4,400 pvt buses to hit Tiruchy roads today, no fare hike

Thiruchirapalli

Considering complaints by commuters against the TNSTC buses that had reportedly collected higher than the usual fare, the private operators who have decided to resume operations have also decided not to increase the fare. They are also ready at the same time to enforce social distancing norms with 60 per cent of passengers in each bus.

“There are as many as 4,600 private buses operated across the State except for a few districts, including Chennai, Madurai and Kanniyakumari and the buses will not be operated in districts like Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu where the lockdown still continues. There are only 200 buses in these three districts and so the remaining 4,400 buses would be hitting the road from Wednesday,” said DR Dharmaraj, State secretary, Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu (FBOAT).

Meanwhile, the private bus operators have decided to restrict within the zones. “We are very particular to strictly adhere to the norms and the buses would be operated till the borders of the concerned districts as it is followed by the TNSTC buses,” said Dharmaraj.

As per the norms, the passengers are allowed to board the buses with compulsory wearing of masks and they would be allowed inside only after handing over them sanitisers. “Once the particular bus completes the trip, they would be sprinkled with sanitisers,” Dharmaraj said.

In the meantime, the private buses would also be operated within city limits following similar norms. The passengers are allowed to board the buses from one entrance and get down from another door. “Since the buses would be operated with the maximum of 60 per cent passengers there is no chance for standing by passengers and thus, the social distance would be strictly ensured,” Dharmaraj said and added that the private operators have been waiting for the government nod for the waiver of road tax for three months.