Weekend curfew: BMTC buses operational only for personnel engaged in essential services

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) announced that its bus services will be suspended on Saturday (January 8 and January 15) and Sunday (January 9 and January 16) for the next two weeks.

The move comes in view of the weekend curfew and other restrictions announced by the Karnataka government till January 19, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

A press release stated that BMTC buses will not be functional for the general public, however, they will be operated for personnel engaged in essential services and exempted activities.

“10% of buses will be operated for essential services in Bengaluru city, between 6 am and 10 pm on weekends. The passengers who will be allowed to travel in the buses include health staff, police, patients and their attendants, bank and insurance employees, media persons, and students attending examinations. All of them are required to carry documents to prove their identity with them,” the release stated.

The bus crew members have been asked to strictly follow masking procedures and allow passengers only if seats are available. The BMTC has also asked passengers suffering from fever and other ailments to refrain from traveling.

All passengers will have to wear a face mask, without which they will not be allowed to travel and follow physical distance.