Though an adequate number of buses has been operated, the people seem to have avoided unnecessary outing as a precautionary measure.

“People are still in fear over using the public transport system. Only 50 per cent of the fleet was operated and they too ran with poor occupancy. From running empty buses in the morning, the passenger patronage improved slightly towards the evening. So the buses couldn’t follow specific timings and were operated only if they got a minimal number of passengers,” said a TNSTC official.

It turned out to be an unusual sight for the ever crowded buses to ply with minimal number of passengers even during the peak hours on arterial stretches.

Of the total 800 buses including town and mofussil operated in Coimbatore region, 401 plied in Coimbatore, 104 in Ooty, 153 in Erode and 142 in Tiruppur district.

Mandatory wearing of masks was ensured, passengers were thermal tested and given sanitizers as suggested by the state government to curb the spread of COVID-19. Similarly, temples and religious institutions opened up to moderate crowds by adhering to social distancing norms.

In Madurai also, occupancy rate in buses was low on the first day on Tuesday on almost all the routes in the district. Ironically, many were not aware that restrictions on public transport have been eased by the government. Though the government allowed 50 per cent of occupancy, most buses ran with very thin crowd not even reaching that capacity, sources said. Passengers with facemasks on were seated and all maintained physical distance.

Similar was the scene in almost all the districts in other parts of the state.

Sources attributed the poor occupancy due to fear of contracting Coronavirus which is still on a high across the state. There is not a single district that is free from virus cases. sources added.