Good news for commuters: ‘Mo Bus’ service to resume from tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Good news for bus commuters as MoBus services will resume from tomorrow in Bhubaneswar, informed Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) today.

In view of rapid spread of COVID-19, the authorities have decided to ply the buses in seven routes from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack and Khordha towns.

“Initially buses will ply in 7 routes of Capital Region from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. To start with we will operate non-AC buses. We will keep adding more number of buses and routes over a period of time,” informed CRUT General Manager Dipti Mahapatra.

The buses will operate on the following routes to begin with:

However, the buses will be operated by following lockdown guidelines as specified by the State Government.

As per decision, mask will be compulsory for the passengers and no standing passenger will be allowed to travel in the buses. All the crew members have been instructed not to allow the passengers to board the buses in which all the seats are occupied.

“No mask, no entry. We appeal all the commuters to take precautions while they commute in MoBus. They are requested to carry sanitizers as well,” said Mahapatra.

The passengers are requested to tender exact change to purchase ticket in order to minimise cash transaction, she added.

Keeping the present scenario in mind, the CRUT is planning to implement contactless method over cash to avoid physical contacts.

“We intend to digitise the commute in the near future. Soon we will introduce QR code and tap & pay card to facilitate cashless transaction. This will allow a hassle-free and risk-free travel for the commuter in the times of COVID-19,” Mahapatra said.

She added that the cleaning and disinfection of Mo buses are being done on daily basis as per standard procedure in the interest of passengers and staff deployed in the buses.

For the safety of passengers, the cleanliness and hygiene of each and every bus will be verified everyday by depot managers before start of journey.

“MoBus are being cleaned daily on the spots prone to spread a virus like seats, support poles, door handles, arm rest and bar handles with an alcohol-based disinfectants,”Mahapatra informed.