Bus service resumes in city

The city life almost got back to normal with resumption of bus services on Monday, more than two months after its suspension due to the spread of coronavirus.

Almost all the companies started operating their buses, charging 60 per cent higher fares from the passengers.

Long-route buses also charged 60 per cent higher fares from the passengers as the government approved the hike.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges upon demand from transport owners approved on Sunday increase in bus and minibus fares by 60 per cent from the existing rate during the corona crisis period.

On the first day, the passenger ratio at both city buses and long-route buses was maintained. But disinfection measures were not followed properly. Terminals were yet to equip with the facilities stated in the guidelines of health directorate.

Though hand sanitiser spray was used before getting on the buses in city and long routes, disinfecting seats and buses was not properly followed by the operators during trips.

After visit to Mohakhali bus terminal, the FE correspondent found a small number of passengers on long-route buses. Many buses left the terminal keeping a good number of seats vacant.

The government has allowed movement of all public transports from May 31 instructing operators to follow health guidelines.

The instruction was not followed by other transports including autorickshaw, tempo and leguna.

The scenario at Kamalapur station was impressive as the Bangladesh Railway continued its efforts of disinfecting the platform, passengers and trains at entry points.

Inter-city trains arrived at Kamalapur station mostly occupying the seats against which tickets were sold.

Though less in number, around 13 young cleaners were found spraying, wiping and rubbing every seat and compartment after passengers get down at the station.

Passengers who arrived in Dhaka from Rajshahi by Bonolata Express said they were happy with the arrangements of the Bangladesh Railway.

Three other intercity trains- Kauni, Lalmoni and Panchagarh- operated on the second day after the Bangladesh Railway (BR) resumed its train service with eight intercity trains on Sunday. Sonar Bangla express which arrived from Chattogram on Sunday night left the Kamalapur station on Monday morning.

Other intercity trains including Subarna and Chitra did not operate on Monday due to weekly holiday.

Ataur Rahman, Chief Inspector of Security Unit, said health issues on trains had been well maintained expressing the hope that with such arrangement, the spread of COVID-19 could be contained.

The passengers arriving and leaving the station also expressed their satisfaction with overall arrangements.

While visiting Mohakhali Bus Terminal, the FE correspondent found a lack of disinfection equipment at entry and waiting place.

People were not maintaining social distance properly even though the terminal was yet to get its original crowd.

Half of the seats on Ena Paribahan bound for Mymensingh, Binimoy bound for Tangail-Kendua, Imam bound for Haluaghat and Bilash were vacant before starting journey.

When asked about poor arrangement on health issues, Mohammad Sadequr Rahman Hiru, senior president of Bangladesh Transport Workers Federation, alleged that the government did not give them enough time to resume bus services.

Mohakhali Terminal Bus Owners Association president Abul Kalam Azad said many transport operators could not manage necessary equipment for disinfection due to its short supply in the market.

He claimed that there is a shortage of thermal scanners and spray machines in the market with the bus operators rushing for buying those within a short notice.

"We resumed service today. We will be on trial for next two to three days. Afterward everything will be fine,' he said.

UNB adds: Domestic flight operation resumed on Monday on Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Syedpur routes on a limited scale after more than two months of suspension amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Senior Secretary Mohibul Haque said as the number of passengers was less than usual, some flights had been canceled. These flights will be operated when there will be enough passengers, he added.

He said all measures had been taken at the airports to ensure health safety of passengers of domestic flights.

"I request all passengers to follow proper hygiene rules and ensure social distance while traveling by air."

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mofidur Rahman said flights on the rest of the routes will resume in phases.

"We are monitoring whether the passengers and the airlines are following all the hygiene rules and other instructions," he said.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Mokabbir Hossain said, "We have started the flights from today. We will operate 2 flights in the morning and 2 in the afternoon on these three routes."

There were eight passengers for travelling to Saidpur and 20 passengers for Dhaka on Dhaka-Saidpur route in the morning. As there was no passenger on Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chattogram routes Biman did not operate any flight, he said.

US-Bangla Airlines GM (PR) Kamrul Islam said from Monday they will operate six flights on Dhaka-Chattogram route, one on Dhaka-Sylhet route and 3 on Dhaka-Saidpur route.

"We are transporting maximum of 65 percent passengers as per the instructions of CAAB," he added.

AKM Mahfuzul Alam, senior manager (marketing and sales) of Novoair said they will operate total 7 flights on these routes.

The ongoing ban on flight operations on international routes will continue till June 15 to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, according to CAAB sources.

Our Correspondent from CHATTOGRAM adds: Shah Amanat International Airport resumed flight operation from Monday.

A flight of US-Bangla carrying 28 passengers from Dhaka landed at the airport around 7:50 am. The same flight left for Dhaka at 8:15 am with 37 passengers. Later, another flight of Novo Air landed at Chattogram at 8 am.

Wing Commander Sarwar E Jaman, Manager at Shah Amanat International Airport said, "There was schedule of 11 flights at the airport while schedule of two flights of Bangladesh Biman was cancelled."

He said, "We are working to ensure the safety of passengers as well as our staff at the airport. We have already taken all necessary measures in this regard."

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