SOPs set for buses, vans in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration has allowed public transport to operate in the federal capital under Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Under the guidelines issued by the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, it will be mandatory for the bus stand and wagon stand managements to make crew and passengers follow SOPs within the limits of the respective terminals.

People operating the bus and wagon stands will implement social distancing at stands and in vehicles as well. They will ensure that in buses, one door is used for boarding and the other for alighting. However in case of vans and wagons with single doors, the crew will ensure social distancing as people get on or off the vehicle.

DC Shafqaat said parking lanes should be set up at bus stands and circles should be marked where passengers should stand to maintain social distance. Bus stand operators should deploy staff to control overcrowding. Buses were not allowed to run air conditioners and all windows should remain open for fresh air.  According to the SOPs, only vehicles with route permits will be allowed to operate. All buses will be sanitised from time to time. Anyone suffering from cold or fever will not be allowed to board. The stand administration should also inform the riders who come from time to time.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2020.