Coronavirus: TN bus conductor spends one-month salary to buy masks for passengers

MADURAI: Travel in this TNSTC (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation) bus from Bodinayakkanur to Dindigul, and you will get not just a ticket from the conductor but also a mask. Meet V Karuppasamy, 44, a bus conductor, who has spent his one-month salary to buy masks for his passengers.
Karuppasamy is a resident of Bodinayakkanur in Theni district. A few days ago, while on duty, he came across an old woman who did not wear a mask and was not even aware of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The conductor, who earns Rs 27,000 a month, decided to buy masks with his salary for all his passengers. “I discussed this idea with my family members, and they were supportive,” said Karuppasamy.
On receiving his pay for the month of May, he purchased 2,000 masks and five PPEs for himself.
“When I told my wife about this, she agreed without thinking twice. She was confident enough to manage our personal expenses without one month’s salary,” he said.

Karuppasamy also had to pay Rs 10,000 to his children’s college. “My children understood, and they said they would request the college management for an extension to pay the amount,” he added.
Karuppasamy has been working as a conductor for the last 12 years.
He said 40% of his passengers did not wear masks. “Coronavirus can spread quickly even if one of them is infected. I thought I am responsible for the safety of my passengers and decided to distribute masks. Since some passengers expressed concern over their safety, I bought PPEs (personal protective equipment) for myself,” he said.
Karuppasamy purchased the masks from a manufacturing unit in Bodinayakkanur. While masks were sold at Rs 20 a piece in medical shops, he convinced the manufacturer and purchased the same for Rs 13 per piece.