The government has decided to allow bus services ply in Dhaka and other city corporation areas from today amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Buses will run from 6am to 6pm within the cities,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said in a press briefing at his home in Dhaka on Tuesday.
However, buses will be allowed to carry 50 per cent passengers of its capacity to maintain social distancing.
Besides, inter-district bus services will remain suspended.
The cities where bus service would resume are: Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, Gazipur, Cumilla and Mymensingh.
The decision came just two days after the government imposed restriction on public transport and some activities.
Sadikur Rahman Hiru, vice president of Road Transport Workers’ Federation told the media that they are preparing to resume the services.
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.
He said public transports have to keep 50 percent 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.
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.
As per the new directives, all public transport services -- road, waterway and railway -- as well as domestic flights will remain suspended.
However, the restrictions will not be applicable to offices, employees and transports involved in maintaining law and order and emergency services, relief distribution, health services, and electricity, water and gas supply, fire service, port activities, and telephone and internet services.
Banks will operate from 10:00am to 12:30pm. Public, private and autonomous offices can facilitate commute of their employees to workplaces, using their own transport on a limited scale. Industrial units and factories can do the same for their workers. Construction works will go on.
Ekushey Boi Mela will also continue from noon to 5:00pm every day.
In this given situation, commuters suffered during the morning rush. Many rode rickshaws while many others took auto-rickshaws to get to work, spending extra. Some had to change vehicles multiple times and even walk to work.
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