KOLKATA: From disallowing students to sit beside each other to making bus attendants wear “I am vaccinated” badges, school bus operators across the city are gearing up with Covid appropriate measures as they get ready to resume services after 19 months even as a large number of schools are in two minds whether or not to encourage students to use school buses at this moment.
“We are really excited about the resumption of services after almost two years. But we realise there won’t be many takers immediately as most senior students do not depend on school buses. But there has to be a start and we are initiating our service with 30% fleet,” said Anurag Agarwal of Urban City Services, which operates buses at 22 major city schools.
Last week, CM Mamata Banerjee announced that physical classes will reopen from November 16 with the school education department notifying that classes IX to XII will be allowed to step into the campus from this month. The detailed SOP has been published where it is advised, “Come and leave school accompanied by guardians if possible by walking, bicycle or own conveyance. If students are using school transport then maintain social distance and keep masks and for private pool car owners they need to ensure proper hygiene and social distance for Covid safety.”
While some private schools said they are set to resume bus services, there are many who are not interested in starting it from mid-November as board exams are going to start from the end of November for the final year students of CISCE and CBSE.
Principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Anjana Saha, said, “We may call only Class-XI students and not start school buses at this moment.” Seema Sapru, principal, Heritage School, said, “All bus conductors, and drivers are double vaccinated. The middle seats will be kept empty and enough masks and sanitiser will be there. Fifty percent seating arrangement will be allowed.”
Bratati Bhattacharyya, secretary general, Shri Shikshayatan School, said, “We are constantly sensitising students and parents that on the school premises we can control hygiene and safety security but they need to be cautious all the time even when they are availing of transport.”
Apart from hygiene and safety related concerns, the other factor that has been worrying the majority of parents before November 16 is the possible hike in school bus fees especially in regards to the exponential rise in diesel prices. “Fuel price has seen a 48% rise but we are still not increasing the fares at this moment,” said an official of West Bengal Contract Carriage Association.
