Buses to operate with 50pc passengers at same fare: BRTA

Buses will operate at half of their capacities at same fare from Saturday, said the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), reports UNB.

“Buses will carry 50 per cent passengers but the fare won’t be increased this time,” said BRTA director Md Sarwar Alam.

The decision was taken at a meeting with the leaders of transport owners and workers on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the leaders of transport owners and workers demanded the government allow them operate buses at their full capacities maintaining proper health protocols as flights are allowed to operate at 100 per cent of their capacities.

The buses will not carry passengers beyond the number of seats in a bus, they said.

The BRTA director said a recommendation will be submitted to the cabinet on Thursday in this regard.

On Monday, the government imposed restrictions on public movement and other activities like operating public transport at their half capacities amid the growing concern over the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

The cabinet division issued the notification on Monday which will take effect on 13 January and will remain in force until further notice.