SOPs won’t even allow to meet operating costs: Private buses

According to the private bus operators, there are around 4400 private buses being operated across the state, except in a few pockets like Chennai and Madurai cities. But the SOP issued for the transport operation within the district with only 60 per cent passengers would absolutely lead to insufficient even to meet the operational cost.

“We have decided to wait for more relaxations as the norms issued are not commensurate with the prevailing diesel prices, which has gone up manifold ever since the lockdown,” D R Dharmaraj, State Secretary, Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu (FBOAT). He insisted that they would ply buses only when the government allows inter-district services with full capacity.

Meanwhile, the private operators who have been off road for the past several months without any income and they were demanding a relaxation for taxes.

Parameshwaran, treasurer, Federation of Tamil Nadu Private Bus Owners Association, Madurai, ruled out the possibility of resuming operations on Tuesday since many buses had inter-district transport permits and cant be run within the district. But, mini–buses might hit the roads again which won’t be of much help to the public and workers, he said.

As for P. Kannan, proprietor, Solamalai transport, Madurai, 130 private buses with multi district permits would normally operate from Madurai. Since inter-district operations have not been allowed, we won’t resume the services.

He also said that mini-buses would return to the routes. But it would be an costly affair, as the operators would be forced to spend around Rs 500 per bus to adhere to safety measures.

In Coimbatore region, around 50 per cent of the TNSTC fleet is likely to hit the roads on Tuesday. However private buses are unlikely to operate as they claimed that it would not be profitable for them to ply with a minimum number of passengers. The private bus operators have decided to wait and watch before taking a decision on resuming services.

After more than five months, malls in Coimbatore, Madurai and Thoothukudi were gearing up to open their doors for the public on Tuesday.

All arrangements have been in place to reopen malls with stringent safety norms. A new access management system has been introduced in Prozone Mall in Coimbatore to help control the number of visitors. “Customers can now pre-book a slot for their visit to the mall in advance or at the entrance of the mall. This will be done via a QR code based appointment system. The public can also visit the prozonemalls.com website and fill in some basic details to avail this feature,” said a statement.

Meanwhile places of worship of all faith started gearing up for daily services, which are set to begin from Tuesday. All arrangements to adhere to the SOPs were made by officials and authorities in all the shrines including temples, churches and shrines in central, southern and western districts.