Bus service resumes in cities

The Daily Star May 06, 2021
UNB, Dhaka

Bus service resumed in cities across the country, including in Dhaka, today — albeit with a limited number of passengers.

However, inter-district bus service will remain suspended in the country during the “lockdown” period. Movement restrictions have been imposed by the government to curb Covid-19 infections in Bangladesh.

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An on the field check by UNB in Dhaka revealed that several buses left depots in the morning and were plying key stretches of the capital — Mirpur Road, Begum Rokeya Sarani, Uttara, Banani and Mohakhali, to name a few.

Like buses, other public transports were also seen on Dhaka roads — with 50 percent of their seating capacity.

People were seen using public transport, strictly adhering to all Covid-safety protocols.

Police said they were keeping a strict vigil on all public transport vehicles and taking action against passengers found without wearing masks or flouting physical distancing guidelines.

Traffic Inspector Asaduzzaman said, “Bus services have resumed in the city since morning and we are checking each and every bus to ensure that all passengers are maintaining Covid-safety protocols.”

UNB’s Cumilla correspondent reported that buses left almost all the terminals in the district, including Shashangacha, Jangalia and Chakbazar, early in the morning. No passengers were allowed to board buses without masks.

Public transport services were suspended in Bangladesh on April 5, with the government announcing a countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.