Road transportation restarted operations across the country on Monday nearly two months after their closure in the wake of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
The government acceded to the demand by transportation unions of increasing fares per seat by 60 percent. Passengers are being transported in compliance with the hygiene rules, but exceptions are seen in many places.
Passenger transport has started operating on all regional highways and long-distance roads from Cumilla to Dhaka-Chattogram. However, most of the busses and passengers are not following the hygiene rules to prevent corona infection.
Such scenes can be seen in Shasnagachha, Jangalia, Chawkbazar inter-district bus terminal of Cumilla city and Paduarbazar Bishwaroad area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
There was no social distance between the passengers who stood for hours in the ticket queue. No hygiene or health care measures were seen among the transport owners concerned to prevent corona infection among the passengers. Passengers are being picked up and dropped off anywhere.
Most transports do not have hand sanitisers or disinfectant spray system. The helper or conductor is pulling the passengers on the bus according to the old rules. Most of the buses were seen standing around to pick up passengers. No hygiene rules were followed for picking up and dropping off passengers.
Cumilla Bus Owners Association Secretary General Tajul Islam said, “All the buses have started operating as per the government’s decision. It is mandatory for passengers to use masks and we provided disinfectant spray and soapy water for passengers. Besides, all the passengers in the district have been instructed to follow the same health guidelines in transport.”
He further said, “As per the decision of the government, no extra money is being taken from the passengers apart from the 60 per cent increase in fares. I will take action if any complaint is received.”
