| Bus/taxi operators charge extra fare, not ready to obey social distancing | | Common masses being looted openly, admin mute spectator | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 22: The Union Territory Administration had accepted the demand of passenger vehicle operators to enhance the fare in view of COVID-19 protocols to maintain social distancing but operators have been charging exorbitant fare without obeying social distancing under the nose of authorities concerned. According to people, commuting between various routes of Jammu province, the bus operators have been charging extra fare on the pretext of maintaining social distancing in the vehicles. “Since ease out of restrictions and resuming of services by the passenger vehicle operators, commuters have been forced to pay extra fare but on most of the routes, social distancing norms are openly violated”, passengers said, adding that the bus operators as well as conductors have continue with their post-COVID-19 situation with passengers huddled in the buses as cattle.
During peak hours, even it was impossible to board or de-board buses on the busy routes such as Kathua-Jammu, Jammu Akhnoor, Jammu RS Pura etc. “Post Covid-19 the bus fare between Kathua to Jammu was 70-80, but now the bus operators have been charging Rs. 130 per passenger with an increase of Rs. 50 but social distancing within the buses have not been followed”, a daily commuter said, adding that as per norms the bus operators have been instructed to carry passenger to half of their capacity, so that social distancing could be maintained.
But bus operators have been openly flouting the norms and instead of half of their capacity, they have been boarding almost double to their existing sitting capacity but there was no relaxation in the enhanced fare of buses or taxi operators. “Similar situation is on the other routes of Jammu province while the administration is a mute spectator over the matter”, an official said, adding that on every routes, there were police nakas as well as traffic police officials have been deputed on all the routes but under their nose such violations have been going on.
“If some passenger object with the bus or taxi operators for charging enhanced fare, the operators took refuge of Government order to enhance the fare but when they are questioned in context of maintaining social distancing, they asked the passenger to board another bus or taxi”, a passenger said, adding that the administration should take action against these passenger vehicle operators for violation of norms, as COVID-19 infections have already been witnessing an upward trend. |
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