Public transport restarts in Delhi after 56 days, SOP on Wednesday

New Delhi, May 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave his nod for public transport in the national capital, DTC buses, autos, taxis and auto-rickshaws were back on city roads from Tuesday with social distancing, protection norms and limited passengers. The Transport Department will release an SOP for them on Wednesday.

Public transportation is the lifeline of Delhi, according to the Delhi Transport Department which claims that more than half of the population in Delhi is dependent on local transport for commuting.

While Metro is still not allowed, buses with 20 passengers have been approved in the lockdown 4.0.

Delhi has about 3,750 DTC buses and about 2,750 buses under the cluster scheme serving the city.

"As per the protocol from the Delhi government, there will be marshals to ensure the social distancing protocols are being followed," an official told IANS.

Also, the DTC on Tuesday called back its 350 drivers who were diverted to help the ambulance services to ensure that the full fleet is on the road.

"There were fewer marshals and thermal screening was being done as it was the first day. In the next few days, we are expecting better management of services. More marshals will be deployed at crowded bus stops," the official said.

Also, while free rides for women were implemented as the buses returned on the road, the sitting arrangements were made so that only one person can sit on the double seat.

"Staff as well as the passengers on board were provided with hand sanitisers. Passengers boarding the bus will be screened with thermal guns and symptomatic passengers will not be allowed to board."

While the DTC was running 50 per cent of the fleet, only those engaged in the essential services and having a pass were allowed to board the buses till Monday.

"Now, no pass is required and anyone can board the buses. However, we will request people to only step out if it was necessary," the official added.

The official said the people may feel a shortage of buses as many of them were "under special hire" for transporting migrants and for other use.

"More than 2,000 buses were on the roads on Tuesday. Additionally, around 1,400 buses were kept at the disposal of Revenue and Police Departments for movement of migrants to railway stations and for law and order duties respectively."

The official also said many of the drivers, marshals and conductors live across the city border and are finding it difficult to rejoin their duties.

"The picture will improve in the coming days. The number of buses will increase in the days to come when more and more drivers, who reside in neighbouring states, report for work," the official added.

Taxis, autos and e-rickshaw were also on the roads.

Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and cycle-rickshaws are allowed in Delhi with only one passenger. Taxis and cabs are allowed with only two passengers.

Gramin, phat-phat, and eco-friendly sevas were allowed with only two passengers. Maxi cabs were allowed with only five passengers and RTVs with only 11 passengers.

The drivers are directed to ensure the disinfection of the passenger seat after each drop-off for the safety of the next passenger. Carpooling has also been barred for cab aggregators.

The official added that the other para-transit vehicles also operated on Tuesday but with the restrictions on the number of passengers as imposed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

"A detailed SOP for the movement of buses, RTVS and other para-transit vehicles has been worked out and will be released by the Transport Department on Wednesday," the official added.

All modes of public transport were barred in Delhi with the announcement of the lockdown for the public. It started on Tuesday after the Delhi government allowed for the same on Monday, even as the lockdown was extended till May 31.

Source: IANS