RTC Vizag depot to operate 36 buses to other districts

Visakhapatnam: It is not just for boarding flights but even to get into a bus, passengers need to arrive 45 minutes ahead of their travel schedule.

With the APSRTC resuming its operation intra state from Thursday, passengers are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes before commencing their journey as travellers will be screened for Covid-19.

In a step to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, even if the passengers book tickets, those suffering from cough, cold and fever will not be allowed to travel. In order to maintain social distancing only one traveller will be allowed to sit in a two-seater and buses have been altered accordingly.

After 55 days of the lockdown period, many, migrant workers in particular, look forward to return to their hometowns boarding a bus. While 36 buses would ply to other districts within the State from Visakhapatnam, as many as 21 buses will be made operational within the district from 7 am to 7 pm.

The buses from Visakhapatnam will ply to destinations such as Vijayawada, Amalapuram, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram and Srikakulam from Thursday.

In Srikakulam district alone, buses will head towards seven destinations, including Itchpuram, Sompeta, Mandasa and Palakonda. When it comes to Visakhapatnam district, places like Sileru, Anakapalle, Payakaraopeta, Elamanchili, Chodavaram will have bus connectivity. The RTC has plans to operate the buses between one and four trips, each destination.

Regional Manager RTC M Y Danam says, "Masks are made compulsory for passengers. Thermal screening will be made mandatory before the passengers board the bus. Hygiene protocol is being strictly followed while operating the buses."

As a part of the maintenance of hygiene standards, hand sanitisers will be given to the passengers before they board the bus. After completion of a trip from one destination to the other, the bus will also be sanitised before it gets ready for the next journey.

Tickets can be booked online as well as offline at Dwaraka bus station.

Close to 75 to 80 per cent of buses run within the city limits. However, permission to operate city buses is still awaited.