Due to the rise in the number of infections and deaths due to the global pandemic, the government has ordered buses, trains and launches to carry half the passengers. On the contrary, bus and launch fares have been increased. However, it has not been extended to government vehicle trains. Health rules have been followed. Meanwhile, hygiene rules are followed in trains and long-distance buses, but they are neglected in local buses. Besides, passengers are still lax in wearing masks or following hygiene rules. Those concerned said that there is still lack of awareness among many passengers. Many people take off their masks after boarding trains, buses and launches. Meanwhile, after being closed due to Cyclone Yas, passenger boat movement has started from all the river ports of the country. After the ban was lifted last Friday, launch operations started.
the train
After seven weeks of suspension, 28 pairs of inter-city trains have started running across the country from last Monday with half of the passengers. Commuter trains are also running. Intercity train tickets are sold online. However, commuter train tickets are sold from station counters. Currently, 19 pairs of inter-city trains and four pairs of commuter trains are running from Kamalapur station. Passengers are being picked up in the train with utmost caution following strict hygiene rules. The concerned railway officials along with the medical team are working at the station.
Kamalapur Railway Station Manager Masud Sarwar said that the number of passengers was low for the first four days of train operation. But it started increasing from Friday. Half of the intercity train tickets are being sold online. He said that no one is allowed to enter the station without a ticket. Passengers' body temperature is being measured before entering the station. And every compartment is being sprayed with disinfectant before leaving the train. He said that currently 19 pairs of intercity trains are running from this station. A few commuter trains are also running. In response to a question, he said that the number of passengers going to the destination from Dhaka and coming to Dhaka from outside Dhaka was decreasing for the first three days. However, this number is almost the same since yesterday.
In response to another question, the railway official said, "We are making every effort to ensure that the passengers follow the hygiene rules until they board the train." But many passengers took off their masks after boarding the train. It is not possible for us to control it in any way. He said, when questioned, the passengers try to show various excuses in this regard.
Station Security Officer (RNB) Noor Mohammad Kajal said passengers who do not have masks are not allowed to enter. Besides, passengers are being monitored to wash their hands before boarding the train. However, he said, if the passengers are not aware, it is not possible to wear 100% masks.
It should be noted that passenger trains were stopped from April 5 to prevent the second wave of Corona. According to the Ministry of Railways, 102 intercity trains and 260 local, commuter trains and freight trains are running during normal hours out of 362 trains of the Railways.
the bus
Meanwhile, it can be seen from Syedabad in the capital that 60 percent extra fare is being charged for long-distance buses leaving from the capital. In the morning, buses leave from Syedabad bus terminal for various districts including Chittagong, Comilla, Feni, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Noakhali, Sylhet. However, passengers were less and in many cases hygiene rules were not being followed. Abul Kashem, manager of Hanif Paribahan's Sayedabad counter, said that passengers are less. People don't want to pay extra rent. However, masks were not seen on the faces of many passengers. In this regard, Tisha Paribahan passenger Roksana said, I was wearing a mask. I have a headache, so I opened it.
Meanwhile, in view of the complaint that the public transport of the capital is not being followed at all, a top transport leader said, we are trying to run the public transport in accordance with the government restrictions and hygiene rules. But it has become impossible to transport passengers following the hygiene rules in the morning and afternoon. Most people go to office in the morning. At this time, everyone wants to get into the car in a hurry. The transport leader also said that a car has a driver, a helper and a ticket collector. At that time the passengers pushed and got into the car. They cannot handle so many passengers. This problem is not only in buses but everywhere. He said, we cannot force the passengers from the car. But we have asked the workers to drive in compliance with hygiene rules.
Ramesh Chandra Ghosh, president of Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association and owner of Shyamoli Paribahan, said that passengers are being transported in long-distance buses in accordance with the hygiene rules. We are providing masks to passengers who do not have masks. However, he did not agree to comment in response to the question that hygiene rules are not being followed in local buses.
Boat movement started
After being closed due to Cyclone Yas, passenger boat services have started from all the river ports of the country. After lifting the ban from 9:30 am on Friday, the launch movement started. Earlier on Thursday, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) allowed the launch of two engines in the river. Other vessels were also allowed to operate. Confirming the matter, the Joint Director of Maritime Safety and Traffic Management Department of Dhaka River Port, Zainal Abedin said, since the situation of Cyclone Yas has normalized, the navigation has started. After 9:30 in the morning, the launch started on all domestic routes of the country.
BIWTA's Sadarghat Terminal Inspector (TI) Dinesh Kumar Saha said that the passengers are being picked up by the launch following the hygiene rules. Micking is being done to make passengers aware of this. But after boarding the launch, many people took off their masks. It is the responsibility of the launch authority to see to it. In response to a question, he said, no matter how much strictness is shown, most passengers do not want to wear masks for long.
