Public transport resumed in Karachi on Wednesday after suspension for over two months due to the coronavirus contagion.
The Sindh government on Tuesday allowed public transport and online ride-hailing services under the standard operating procedures (SOPs), set by the authorities.
The city has regained its hustle and bustle on roads with return of public transport but it seems the transporters have thrown away the SOPs, agreed with the government.
The condition of availability of hand sanitizers and wearing of masks in vehicles not seemed to be enforced, while social distancing, a key rule to keep the virus away, also being violated.
The government has set up a monitoring and inspection committee, comprises of transport and revenue officers, to oversee implementation of the SOPs.
The announcement of restoration of public transport on Tuesday came after successful talks between Sindh Transport Minister Owais Shah and transporters who were pressing the government for permission to bring their buses on roads.
Owais Shah said transporters will have to ensure implementation of the government-defined SOPs, including availability of hand sanitizers and wearing of masks in vehicles, otherwise, action will be taken against transporters. Vehicles will not be allowed to carry extra passengers, he cleared.
The minister said only two people will be allowed to sit in a ride-sharing vehicle and three in case of emergency while seat by seat online bus services will be permitted.
It is to mention here that the provincial government a day earlier issued a notification, allowing markets to remain open in the city from 6 am in the morning till 7 pm in the evening. Medical stores and essential items seller can open their businesses 24/7.
The notification also says that if the government finds people breaking rules and not following SOPs then the decisions and leeway given may be reverted.
It may be mentioned here that the Sindh government decided to allow resuming of intra-city (within district) bus operations to cope the transportation needs of general public with strict observance of the following approved Standard Operating Procedure SOPs.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces of buses, bus terminals and waiting areas. Observing social distancing during ticketing, boarding, travelling and alighting with minimum 3ft distance. Wearing masks and hand gloves is mandatory for all the passengers, drivers and conductors. Keep minimum baggage. Ensuring the availability of masks and hand sanitizers is the responsibility of transporters in every bus. Checking body temperature of every passenger including driver and conductor before boarding the bus services. Not allowing anyone with cough or fever to board the bus. There should be fifty (50%) percent seating arrangement for the passengers with reasonable distance among them. Ensuring ventilation of air by opening windows/ventilators. Using rear door for boarding and front door for alighting. If single door bus then allow passenger to alight fist and board later. Sneezing or coughing into elbow or tissue papers. Installing disinfecting/ spraying gates at boarding places. Marking the location of parking bays of buses. Crowd management via deployment of additional /necessary staff and marking positions. Ensuring availability of soaps/sanitizers in public areas/toilets. The elderly and the sick should not be allowed in the intra-city / intra district bus services. Provide a cash drop box to the conductor. Designated bus stops shall be used for boarding and alighting.
