Punjab Govt announces to resume public transport in the province

Dunya News

The government has also announced a 20% reduction in fares

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has given permission to resume intercity and inter-district transport and allow online taxi service operation while also announcing 20% reduction in fares.

These decisions were taken during a meeting chaired by the CM which reviewed the latest situation arising out of the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting reviewed measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of the virus as well as the facilities provided to patients under treatment in hospitals. The implementation of SOPs in markets after the easing of lockdown was also reviewed in the meeting.

The meeting allowed reopening major shopping malls while following precautionary SOPs and also approved allowing power looms to operate. Churches have also been allowed to hold mass on Sundays while taking care of SOPs.

Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan has confirmed that matters between Punjab government and the transporters have been settled and it has been decided to open inter-city transport with a 20 per cent reduction in fares.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that reduction in prices of petroleum products would benefit the common man. He said that compliance with formulated SOPs in public transport will have to be ensured and passengers, drivers and conductors will be required to wear masks. Moreover, transporters will have to maintain the required social distance between passengers and provide them with sanitizers inside buses.