THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the recent surge in COVID cases, the transport buses in the state remain crowded for most parts of the day. Though ordinary passengers are afraid of getting infected by COVID-19, they are forced to depend on transport buses, including KSRTC buses.

The Chief Secretary had directed that buses should not take in passengers beyond the seating capacity. However, this direction was ignored in various parts of the state as passengers flocked into the buses due to shortages of buses.

When the COVID cases declined in the state, the Department of Transportation had allowed buses to carry nine people in addition to the seating capacity. However, the shortage of buses eventually led to overcrowding in buses.

KSRTC, which was supposed to run more than 5,000 services, operated less than 3,000 services yesterday. Then how can passengers maintain social distance in buses? Last December, Minister AK Sasindran had directed that congestion should be avoided in buses. This was not properly followed. Passengers did not take the congestion seriously as the number of Covid cases gradually decreased. If the necessary arrangements are not made, the congestion in the buses is likely to increase on Thursday as well.