West Bengal govt-run buses start plying on more routes, autorickshaws out too amid COVID-19 lockdown

Buses run by West Bengal government undertakings were out in large number across the state on Wednesday, as more offices and establishments started functioning amid the coronavirus lockdown, an official said.

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In a notification issued earlier in the day, the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) said buses, including air-conditioned ones, will ply on 40 routes in the metropolis as well as in the suburbs and districts from 7 am to 7 pm.

The number of passengers would depend on the bus size, health and safety norms, it said.

The South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) and North Bengal State Transport Corporation also resumed operations on various intra and inter-district routes, a transport department official said.

The WBTC had been operating skeletal bus services during the lockdown period on some popular routes for emergency purposes and health workers.

As offices started to reopen with reduced staff, the services were increased to 15 routes in the city to facilitate movement of commuters, officials said.

Autorickshaws were also seen in decent numbers in different areas of Kolkata and its suburbs.

With only two passengers allowed in each autorickshaw for maintaining social distancing norms, many operators were reportedly charging double the existing rates on several routes.

Private bus operators, however, have not resumed services after their demand for increasing fares were not met by the West Bengal government.