<p>The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday instructed State transport undertakings to ensure below 50 per cent passenger occupancy in buses after the COVID-19 induced lockdown ends and services resume. In a circular to STUs, the government listed the Standard Operating Procedures for the post lockdown period and asked the authorities to follow the SOP without fail.</p>.<p>"Maximum allowable total passenger capacity should be below 50 per cent," the SOP said, adding the provision for seats and standing locations for passengers must maintain social distancing.</p>.<p>Disinfecting buses after completion of every trip, avoiding use of air conditioners, ensuring masks, separation of space between the driver and commuters are the other norms outlined.</p>.<p>Notably, the authorities have been asked to promote QR code based payments, and other methods of e- payments like PayTM, Google Pay and Jio Pay for ticketing purposes.</p>.<p>The SOP is for the post lockdown times and the current third nationwide shutdown phase -which includes a ban on public transport- is scheduled to end on May 17.</p>.<p>Only special trains for the benefit of stranded guest workers are currently operated in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country.</p>
<p>The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday instructed State transport undertakings to ensure below 50 per cent passenger occupancy in buses after the COVID-19 induced lockdown ends and services resume. In a circular to STUs, the government listed the Standard Operating Procedures for the post lockdown period and asked the authorities to follow the SOP without fail.</p>.<p>"Maximum allowable total passenger capacity should be below 50 per cent," the SOP said, adding the provision for seats and standing locations for passengers must maintain social distancing.</p>.<p>Disinfecting buses after completion of every trip, avoiding use of air conditioners, ensuring masks, separation of space between the driver and commuters are the other norms outlined.</p>.<p>Notably, the authorities have been asked to promote QR code based payments, and other methods of e- payments like PayTM, Google Pay and Jio Pay for ticketing purposes.</p>.<p>The SOP is for the post lockdown times and the current third nationwide shutdown phase -which includes a ban on public transport- is scheduled to end on May 17.</p>.<p>Only special trains for the benefit of stranded guest workers are currently operated in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country.</p>