Lockdown Relaxation: 15 Passengers Board Boudh-Bound Bus In Bhubaneswar As Services Resume

Bhubaneswar: Almost after two months, private bus services resumed in Odisha on Thursday as 15 passengers boarded a bus at Baramunda bus stand in Bhubaneswar for Boudh. They wore masks, which was mandatory for all travellers.

However, bus operation so far has been negligible in Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Balasore. Operators said that that it will take some time to restore normalcy since absence of staff is hampering the repair of vehicles, which have gathered dust having been off the road since late March.

On Wednesday, the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association had agreed to run buses after the Transport Minister assured the private bus operators to waive off taxes for May and provide insurance facilities to the staff.

General Secretary of the Association Debendra Sahu had, however, said that only 50 per cent of the buses were in running condition and it would take at least 10 days to repair the rest.

Also read: Private Buses In Odisha To Start Plying From Tomorrow

Social distancing would be maintained in the buses and the vehicles sanitized frequently, he added.

The same day, the State Transport Authority (STA) had informed that there will be no change in bus fares operating between Bhubaneswar and the district headquarters.

Also Read: Bus Fare In Odisha Remains Unchanged; Details Here