Punjab Government allows public transport to come on roads

Lahore : Punjab Government has opted to allow the public transport come on roads.

A meeting was held in this regard at Transport House Lahore under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Basharat with Punjab Transporters on Friday. Provincial Minister for Industry Mian Aslam Iqbal, Secretary Transport Asad Rehman Gilani, Secretary Provincial Transport Authority Muhammad Iqbal, DIG Traffic Punjab, other officers and transporter representatives from across Punjab were also present.

Later, the two ministers while talking to media said that the government cares about transporters and other business class as well as protection of masses from Corona, therefore the Punjab Chief Minister has decided to allow public transport in the province conditionally.

He said that petrol and diesel prices had come down drastically in the last few months, the benefit of which should reach the people in case of reduction in fares, therefore a committee headed by Secretary Transport had been set up to reduce or review fares  with the consultation of transporters.

Raja Basharat said that according to the SOPs set by the health department for public transport, one passenger on two seats, 3 feet distance between passengers while boarding, AC should be closed and windows should be kept open. “Transporters will ensure disinfection of the bus after each trip and availability of sanitizer, at each terminal while passengers will get in from the front door and get off from the back door. Passengers with fever or cough will not be allowed to get on the bus.”  

The committee will present its final recommendations to the Chief Minister who will make the final decision.

Mian Aslam Iqbal said that the SOPs agreed with the government will be strictly implemented. The transporters assured that they would implement the SOPs set by the government and also arrange for the supply of masks and gloves to the passengers at the controlled rates.

The ministers said that Chief Minister Usman Buzdar would take a decision in this regard soon so that the problems of transporters as well as the people could be alleviated. They also urged the people to follow government guidelines for the protection of themselves and others from a dangerous pandemic.