Mysore/Mysuru: After a gap of two and half months following the COVID -19-induced nationwide lockdown, KSRTC Mysuru Rural Division has resumed night trips starting from today (June 6).

KSRTC Mysuru Rural Divisional Controller R. Ashok Kumar told ‘Star of Mysore’ that night services have resumed to long distance destinations within the State from tonight.

“KSRTC will operate buses to destinations such as Mangaluru, Udupi, Manipal, Gokarna, Karwar, Hubballi, Gadag, Vijayapura, Raichur, Ballari and other destinations in North Karnataka. Depending upon public response and ridership in the next few days, the services will be continued. More trips will be introduced based on public response in the coming days and at the same time we may also consider suspension of night services to such destinations which record a very poor ridership,” he said and added that all the trips will have regular stops at destinations en route as before.

He further said that only ordinary and Rajahamsa buses will operate and there is no AC bus service right now. Pointing out that the KSRTC will stick to the Standard Operating Procedures announced by the Government in respect of running bus services, Ashok Kumar said that passengers are required to compulsorily wear face masks, undergo thermal screening before boarding the bus and use hand sanitisers throughout the journey.

More city buses to operate from Monday

Meanwhile, KSRTC Mysuru City Division said that it will operate more bus services in the city from Monday (June 8).

Speaking to ‘SOM’ this morning, KSRTC Mysuru City Divisional Controller Nagaraj said that following the relaxation of lockdown regulations over 15 days ago, only 40 to 80 city buses resumed services in the initial days. But as the passenger demand and ridership is growing by the day since then, it has been decided to operate 200 city buses, with an expectation that the ridership will considerably improve with the re-opening of Hotels and Restaurants, Temples, Malls etc.

Pointing out that lockdown measures such as maintenance of social distancing, wearing of face masks and use of hand sanitisers will be strictly followed in the operation of buses, Nagaraj noted that a maximum of 30 passengers will be allowed in a bus.