CHENNAI: As government bus stands in and around Chennai gear up for operations after lockdown 3.0 ends, private omni bus owners have announced that fares will be doubled soon after their services resumed.
Repair and painting works were taken up at Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu and Chengelpet Bus Stand on Wednesday and Thursday after top authorities from the state transport department held a meet with district-level authorities through video conferencing.
A Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) official at CMBT said, "All 170 buses at CMBT were disinfected and ready for operation from most likely on Monday. Circles were painted on platform floors to ensure that distance between two passengers was six feet before the boarded the bus".
One thermal screening device was provided for each of the six main platforms to check passengers' temperatures and 18 time keepers have been designated to monitor these activities, he added.
Commenting in it, Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman from Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), Chennai said, "Besides providing citizens access to services, transport undertakings must prioritise the health and safety of its staff, who are highly exposed to the disease".
RM Swamy, president of SVS-AAP Transport Workers' Union said that transport corporations suffered losses of Rs.30-40 per km even when operated in full capacity. Now that they are allowed to fill only 50% of the seating capacity, losses will almost triple.
Despite huge losses, Tamil Nadu has clarified that there was no fare hike anytime soon and rejected rumours floated in social media regarding this. Private omni buses, however, have annoucned that fares will be doubled and travel in these buses will cost Rs.3.2 per km instead of present rate (Rs.1.6 per km).
Repair and painting works were taken up at Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu and Chengelpet Bus Stand on Wednesday and Thursday after top authorities from the state transport department held a meet with district-level authorities through video conferencing.
A Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) official at CMBT said, "All 170 buses at CMBT were disinfected and ready for operation from most likely on Monday. Circles were painted on platform floors to ensure that distance between two passengers was six feet before the boarded the bus".
One thermal screening device was provided for each of the six main platforms to check passengers' temperatures and 18 time keepers have been designated to monitor these activities, he added.
Commenting in it, Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman from Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), Chennai said, "Besides providing citizens access to services, transport undertakings must prioritise the health and safety of its staff, who are highly exposed to the disease".
RM Swamy, president of SVS-AAP Transport Workers' Union said that transport corporations suffered losses of Rs.30-40 per km even when operated in full capacity. Now that they are allowed to fill only 50% of the seating capacity, losses will almost triple.
Despite huge losses, Tamil Nadu has clarified that there was no fare hike anytime soon and rejected rumours floated in social media regarding this. Private omni buses, however, have annoucned that fares will be doubled and travel in these buses will cost Rs.3.2 per km instead of present rate (Rs.1.6 per km).
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