50% seating capacity order brings chaos to bus stands
SANGRUR : The staff of Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on Saturday faced passenger’s ire at bus stands while trying to implement the state government’s order allowing travel at only 50% seating capacity.
As many were denied boarding the buses due to the Covid-19 guideline, protests and sloganeering broke out at the spot.
Up in arms against the government, several women passengers stopped a PRTC bus at the Sunam bus stand and alleged harassment by the conductor and driver. They raised slogans against the Congress government and demanded adequate bus service amid the pandemic.
However, the PRTC staff claimed that they were following the government guidelines.
“We wish to go to Kali Mata Temple in Patiala, but we have been waiting for a bus since 9am. The conductors are not allowing us to board, while PRTC’s AC buses are playing at full capacity. Is Covid a threat only to ordinary buses,” asked Gurdev Kaur, one of the women protesters.
Amandeep Kaur, another passenger, said she had to go to Patiala but was not allowed to catch a bus for hours. “Covid can also attack 26 persons. If the government does not want us to travel freely, why were the orders issued? This is sheer harassment,” she said.
The passengers also alleged that private buses were ferrying passengers at full capacity, but no action was being taken against them.
“The trend of 26 passengers is only found in governmentrun buses. However, private players are not questioned. Despite government’s order on free travel to women, the authorities are hand-in-glove with private bus owners. The number of government buses should be increased to provide adequate service during this pandemic,” said Paramjit Kaur, an activist.
When asked, Sangrur PRTC general manager MP Singh said the staff was following government’s guidelines.
“The department is also checking private buses and taking action against violators,” said Sangrur regional transport authority (RTA) secretary Karanbir Singh Chinna.
Pvt bus impounded, staff booked in Barnala
The Mehal Kalan police booked the driver and conductor of a bus for allegedly ferrying more than the permitted number of passengers on Friday. The bus was also impounded.
The accused were identified as Jagmeet Singh (driver) of Lehra Mohabbat and Jasvir Singh (conductor) of Bathinda.
A case was registered under Section 188 of the IPC and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act at Mehal Kalan police station. SHO Amrik Singh said the bus was moving to Ludhiana from Barnala side which was stopped during a checking regarding Covid-19. “There were more than 50% passengers in the bus. The bus is under police custody and the accused were released on bail,” the SHO added.