After over 100 days, Metro service resumes partially in Amritsar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 8

After staying off the road for more than 100 days, the services of Metro buses running under the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) resumed on Tuesday got a lukewarm response from passengers. Initially, the authorities are plying 40 buses on both routes.

There are plans to run all 84 buses within the next few days. After the outbreak of Covid-19, residents are also avoiding travelling in public transport. That is why not many people were seen in the buses on the first day. Even the residents are not aware that the service has been resumed.

The BRTS authorities claimed that fresh guidelines issued by the government were being implemented. Passengers are not allowed to board the bus without a mask. The buses are being sanitised daily.

Before the outbreak of coronavirus, all 84 buses were plying and the daily ridership was between 25,000 and 30,000. A large number of passengers were college, school students. Now, all schools and colleges are closed till July 31. Only 5,000 passengers travelled on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the BRTS authorities claimed that the bus drivers would get their salaries soon. Employees have been continuously demanding their salaries. Now the government has cleared the salary bills of two months and disburse the payment within two days.