–Transports’ associations say they can’t operate at loss, urge govt to revise SOPs
–Insaf Transporter Federation endorses govt rules, announces resumption of operations
LAHORE: The Punjab government’s decision to resume transport operations in the province has left the transporters bodies divided, with All Pakistan Transport Owners Federation (APTOF) opposing the decision and the Insaf Transporters Federation agreeing to resume services from Monday.
APTOF Chairman Haji Akram Zaki said that the government should prepared SOPs in consultation with transporters and unless their concerns are addressed, they would not resume their services.
“We cannot operate at 90 per cent loss,” he said, adding that if there would a 50 per cent reduction in passengers, then full fare would be charged. He also demanded that the government should reduce toll tax and exempt them from token tax for one year while also considering reduction in upcoming token taxes.
Meanwhile, All Pakistan Public Transport Association also held a press conference, wherein Chairman Asmat Nizai said that it was impossible to implement the SOPs laid down by the government. “After a lockdown, we cannot agree to reduce 50 per cent passengers as directed by the government,” he said, adding that there was a difference between the SOPs they were informed about and the ones they were asked to implement.
He said that transporters will not make their services operational from Monday and this situation would persist until new SOPs are made by the government. “We are ready to reduce the fares but the government should negotiate with us and formulate new SOPS,” he said, adding that it is not viable to run public transport with 50 per cent reduction in passengers and 20 per cent in fares. He also asked the government to provide relief to the sector.
ITF Chairman Malik Arshad announced that transport sector was closed for the last two months and announced that his organisation would comply with the Punjab government orders. He said the ITF members have agreed to reduce the fares, urging the government for relief on toll tax.
Another member of federation Shakeel Ashraf Butt said, “After midnight the buses will be on service for entire Punjab. There should be no unnecessary Challans on the route and the government should guard and protect the transporters.”
‘PUBLIC DISTRESSED’:
On the other hand, the public was distressed over the transporters decision as many people were waiting for the resumption of services to travel to their hometowns for Eid.
“If public transport is not restored, how will be able to go to our homes for Eid?” Aftab Khan, a native of Mansehra who works in Lahore, asked. “Our mobility is already hampered and public transport is much-needed these days,” he added.
Farrukh Aman, a native of Nowshera who also works in Lahore, said that it was already difficult for him to move around for work due to the lockdown and unavailability of transport. “If the situation persists then how will I be able to go to my home?” he asked.
He also urged the government to direct transporters to resume operations if that means accepting their demands to resolve the issue on an urgent basis.
PUNJAB GOVT DECIDES TO RESUME TRANSPORT SERVICES:
Separately, the Punjab government decided to resume inter-city bus operations to cope with the transportation needs of the general public with strict adherence to the approved SOPs that include online ticketing, contact tracing and reduced transport fares to trickle down benefits of low fuel prices to passengers.
The SOPs issued require maintaining social distance of three feet while boarding buses, disinfection of buses after completion of every trip, availability of hand sanitiser at terminals and within vehicles.
Moreover, any person having fever or frequent coughing would not be allowed to board, whereas other passengers would be required to wear masks and gloves along with temperature checking.
Baggage has been restricted to the minimum and adjacent seat of elderly passengers (above 65 years) is to be kept vacant. Bus companies are required to manage crowds at terminals by deploying additional staff and marking positions, disinfection of waiting areas and allied facilities, frequent disinfection of terminals/addas and bays, and to ensure availability of soaps/sanitisers in public toilets.
Furthermore, the government has emphasised contact tracing and tracking of passengers using online ticketing technology. In case a passenger tests positive for coronavirus subsequent to travel, the government can now track passenger’s travel history and test all passengers that may have been at risk of transmission.
Currently, online ticketing facilities for all major D-Class luxury buses are available through web and app-based platforms like Bookme.pk, Easypaisa, JazzCash, National Bank of Pakistan, HBL, Bank Alfalah and Daraz.
Online ticketing minimises cash handling and physical interactions at terminals, thereby reducing passengers’ risk of exposure to the virus. Online ticketing for inter-city bus services was introduced by Bookme.pk, a leading local online ticketing platform, over five years ago and the company was already seeing a surge in adoption on its platform due to passenger convenience. In the aftermath of Covid-19 online ticketing adoption could see a rapid increase of services like Bookme.pk by commuters if enforced as the only method of obtaining tickets.
