Public transport owners refused to resume operations leaving bus stands empty on Monday

The public transport owners across Pakistan have refused to continue with the operations despite orders from the provincial government.

According to the details, no conductors, drivers or any staff could be seen at the inter-city bus stands.

Earlier, the owners demanded the provincial government to set up SOPs and takes back the decision to offer a 20% reduction in fares.

All Pakistan Public Transport Owners Federation (APPTOF) Chairperson Asmatullah Niazi had said: “There’s a 20% cut in fares and now 50% fewer customers. We have to pay toll taxes, traffic challans from the motorway police, bus stand charges, and various other expenses as well.

“We cannot run public transport operations with 90% deficit,” Niazi added.

Although, the Sindh government has permitted to operate public transport all across the province after Eid Holidays.

Its been two months that the government imposed ban on transport to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Sindh Transport Minister Syed Awais Shah also announced a relief package for transporters. He said the transporters had suffered huge losses financially yet still cooperated with the government due to lockdown.

The relief package included exemption of several taxes and duties on transport services and companies.

“We plan to allow public transport after three days of Eid holidays,” the minister said in a statement.

“However, this relaxation would be allowed only under the defined standard operating procedures (SOPs), which have to be followed both by transporters and passengers for safety and health of everyone.”