BANGKOK, Aug 13 (TNA) – Public Transport can operate at full capacity from today onwards after the Center for Covid-19 Administration Situation (CCSA) has taken further steps in easing Covid-19 restrictions.
Welcoming the relaxation, Manote Saichuto, acting president of Transport Co, operator of inter-provincial buses said without capacity limitation, the company will break even on operating costs.
Each trip should have more than 70 per cent of passenger capacity. Currently, the daily passenger number drops to about 40,000 -50,000 people from 80,000 on average before the Covid-19. People change to use personal cars and travel less due to economic conditions, he said.
After the relaxation, the company and its bus concessionaires will increase bus frequency on popular routes and resume service on some suspended routes.
Meanwhile, Marine Department chief, Witthaya Yamuang said his agency would wait for official notice from the CCSA before informing operators of passenger boats and express boats on the Chao Phraya River and Saen Saeb canal to relax the rules.
He said the relaxation will help passengers reduce waiting time and operators can earn normal income. During the implementation of the Covid-19 social distancing measures, each boat can carry 20 per cent its full capacity.
Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Nirut Maneephan said the lifting of capacity limitation will facilitate commuters, riding trains from Bangkok’s outskirts to work in the capital. The SRT will be able to sell standing train tickets for this group of passengers.
BTS skytrain will also discuss with the Rail Transport Department to ease capacity rules.
Other Covid-19 control measures will be maintained for all public transport such as body temperature check, mask wearing and provision of hand sanitizer. (TNA)
