Staff Reporter :
The government has decided to resume public transport services from Wednesday within metropolitan areas including the capital Dhaka. Public transport will run from 6 am to 6 pm keeping 50 percent of seats vacant in the metropolitan cities.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader came up with the announcement at a virtual press conference from his residence today.
The decision came just two days after the government imposed restrictions on public transport and some activities.
The government has reconsidered the decision to allow public transport in divisional cities following conditions considering the people-working in different public and private offices amid ‘lockdown’-facing immense difficulties due to lack of transport, Quader said.
The cities where bus service would resume are Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, Gazipur, Cumilla, and Mymensingh.
He said public transports have to keep 50 percent of seats vacant and would be allowed to charge the re-fixed fare. The decision would continue until further notice.
However, the restriction on the long-route transports would remain in force until further notice.
He added that the buses should be disinfected with disinfectant at the beginning and end of each trip. In addition to passengers must wear masks and the use of hand sanitizers must be ensured. In no way can additional rent be collected from the adjusted rent. The Road Transport Minister sought the cooperation of the transport owners, workers, and passengers in properly complying with the government’s directives to curb the spread of Corona infection.
On Sunday, the Cabinet Division issued an 11-point directive to be followed from 6:00am yesterday to 12:00am on April 11 to contain the spread of the virus in the country. Punitive actions were supposed to be taken against violators of the directives.
