: With workplaces gradually opening their doors, there is a rising need of transportation. Non-operation of private buses and autos may turn into a commuters’ nightmare, even though state transport undertakings are stepping up the services.
Monday will be an acid test for the skeletal bus service on 15 routes by West Bengal Transport Corporation’s (WBTC) and 1,000 app cabs that are currently operational.On a normal weekday, 58.4 lakh passengers travel by bus in Kolkata Metropolitan Area. Even if one-fifth of them go out to catch a bus on Monday, the passenger count will be more than 10 lakh and there will be day-long chaos with hundreds being stranded for a long time. Many may have to walk to office.
“We are aware of the problem. This is why we are trying hard to slowly open up the private transport sector. They are important stake holders in the city’s public transport system. For the last mile connectivity, autos also play an unmatched role. But unfortunately, both the transport means fall under stringent social-distancing norm,” said a transport department officer.
According to transport department’s last modal split study, private buses alone ferry 42.8 lakh passengers on a weekday. Auto emerged as the second largest carrier with 31.5 lakh passengers. “It will be a very difficult proposition to meet the travel need of even one-third of workplace-bound commuters without private buses and autos ,” said Ajay Das, former chief of traffic and transportation planning directorate, transport department.
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The MHA May-17 order says Lockdown 4 will be enforced on Metro railways as well.
On Monday, West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) buses will be plying in 15 routes at every half an hour from 7am to 7pm. The 15 routes were designed to have touched upon all nodal points in the city. Each bus can carry 20 passengers at a time
