Kohima introduces zigzag seating arrangement for public transport; no 2-wheeler taxi service

Dimapur, Sep. 7 (EMN): The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Kohima has decided to introduce a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for buses and taxi operation. According to the SOP, seating arrangement in bus should be in zigzag manner, leaving alternate vacant seats to maintain social distancing, and no standing passengers will be allowed.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kohima Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa highlighted the latest SOP for city bus and taxis operation in Kohima town at the RTA meeting held on September 4 in the office chamber of the ADC, an update from DIPR informed on Monday.

‘Every bus should be sanitised and fumigated at the end of each day. Every driver and conductor should wear a face mask and also ensure that no passenger is allowed in the bus without a face mask. Hand sanitiser should be made available in the bus for passengers while boarding. Passengers are also asked to carry necessary fare to maintain minimum contact,’ the update read.

Further, in view of the current pandemic, bus fare per passenger is fixed at INR 20 only till September 30 and will be reviewed with further relaxations in the SOP. All bus owners should make sure that a transparent barrier between the driver's cabin and passenger area is made to avoid contact. Driver and conductor should remain inside their vehicle and avoid group gathering or assembly at the work place, said the new SOP.

With no scope to maintain social distancing, two-wheeler taxi services will remain suspended till further notice. In a taxi, only three passengers are allowed: One beside driver and two at the backseat and taxi fares will remain at INR 25 only per passenger and violators will be penalised as per relevant MV Act, it added.

“Checking will be carried out from time to time by the district administration, police and M.V. department. The new SOP for city bus and taxi services will come into effect from Monday the 7th of September, 2020,” the update read.

The meeting was attended by NPS, Dy. SP (Traffic), Manom Wallim; EAC, Kohima, Changsang Soted; RTO, Kohima SY Sanglee Chang  and representatives from CBOUK, it informed.