RESTRICTED NUMBERS ON PUBLIC BUSES WILL CONTINUE, MINISTER NICHOLAS SAYS, IN ORDER TO LIMIT LIKELIHOOD OF VIRUS SPREAD

Although the rate of new COVID-19 infections continues to drop and the Government is relaxing restrictions in certain sectors, bus owners must continue to operate at reduced capacity.

Information Minister Melford Nicholas says the operators have received concessions that will make up for their shortfall since they are carrying fewer passengers.

Bus operators, in February, were ordered to transport 10 and 17 passengers at any given time in the 24-seaters and on Coaster buses, respectively.  This reduction was in response to an increase in virus cases, at the time, and concern for passengers’ safety.

Despite the drop in active cases – to below 200 – Nicholas says the country is still not out of danger;  the Administration believes the virus could easily be spread on public transportation.

Usually, passengers are seated shoulder to shoulder on the public buses; therefore, Nicholas is advising them to continue taking precautions by wearing their masks.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne had said earlier that stricter policing of the bus system would have to be done, since he had received reports that some operators were not reducing the numbers per trip.