School bus owners claim that it is not financially viable for them to follow SOPs and operate at the current rate (Representational Image)
School buses have been closed for more than a year and a half due to the pandemic. This has rendered more than 1.5 lakh operators and drivers jobless for almost 1.5 years.
- trending desk Mumbai
- Last Update:October 07, 2021, 18:23 IST
- Follow us on:
Later Maharashtra schools have reopened from October 4School bus drivers have been asked to follow SOPs and not run at full capacity. The School Bus Owners Association has demanded a 30% hike in the transport charges due to the new SOPs issued by the state government to maintain the COVID-19 safety protocols. As per the new SOP, buses are allowed to carry only 50% of the total capacity, therefore, bus owners find it difficult to continue services at the previous rate.
Anil Garg, a member of SBOA, told a leading daily, “Each bus can now carry only 50% of the total capacity, making it financially difficult for the children at the previous cost.”
Considering the financial crisis bus owners are facing due to the pandemic, the association urged the state government to provide a financial package and waive off road tax as they did for private tourist buses.
The SBOA cited that unlike any other mode of transport, school buses have been suspended for more than a year and a half as schools were closed due to the pandemic. This has rendered more than 1.5 lakh operators and drivers jobless for almost 1.5 years.
“It is high time the government offers us a financial package for at least six months,” Garg was quoted as saying. He also said that financial assistance should also be provided to the operators for restarting the business.
Garg also highlighted the increase in maintenance cost of buses as they will be sanitized twice a day, masks and sanitisers will be provided besides taking preventive measures to keep students safe and secure. The association will soon discuss the matter with the schools concerned.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.