Bengaluru: BMTC buses to run from Monday; Metro services only during peak hours

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has now permitted buses and Metro services to resume from Monday with 50% capacity.

State Transport Undertakings (STUs), including KSRTC and BMTC buses, will finally run on roads after a long gap.

STUs plan to scale up services in a graded manner depending on the demand. BMTC is likely to operate 2,000 buses. Staff members at bus depots across the state cleaned and disinfected the buses on Saturday. All care members and passengers will have to wear masks and follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

C Shikha, BMTC managing director said, “We will operate 1,800 to 2,000 buses in the first phase. Around 90 per cent of our employees have already taken the first dose of vaccine, and 5 to 8 per cent have received the second dose. While assigning duties, we will give preference to the employees who received both doses. Staff members who have taken one dose have to get a negative RT PCR report. Arrangements have been made at the depots for conducting tests.”

KSRTC officials are also ready to resume the services from Monday. A KSRTC official said, “About 90 per cent of KSRTC staff have taken the first dose and the rest have been fully vaccinated. We will operate services based on the demand from passengers.”

Also, from Monday, Namma metro will start to operate services on Purple and Green lines only during peak hours. Services will be available between 7 am and 11 am and 3 pm and 6 pm at a frequency of five minutes. BMRCL said in a statement, “Frequency of train services will be reviewed depending on the passenger traffic.”

Services will be available only on weekdays.  BMRCL made it clear that only smart card-based travel will be permitted.

The statement added, “Only cashless transactions will be permitted at station counters for smart card purchases and recharges to avoid the spread of Covid-19.” Thermal scanning, alternate seatings and all other Covid protocols will be followed at all stations.

In the meantime, many private bus operators have decided not to operate buses till everything returns to normal.