Murrays Coaches is waiting on the green light to return to the roads with plans to install air filters on buses and make masks and temperature checks mandatory.
The bus company suspended several services in April including its Canberra to Sydney express route, Melbourne to Sydney route and Brisbane to Toowoomba service, due to the threat of COVID-19.
However, National Cabinet meets on Friday and is expected to discuss transport and travel. Murrays ACT state manager Shannon Murray was hopeful to get the green light soon.
"The coach and bus industry across Australia is dominated really by small businesses with a few vehicles that have been doing it really, really tough," he said.
Essential services continued to run on the NSW South Coast servicing Narooma and Wollongong but most Murrays staff had been stood-down.
"We're in a stand-down phase right now and what we've been working on is how do we stand ourselves up and get operating again when we're allowed to commence operations."
Medical grade air filters and hand sanitiser would be installed in buses, passengers would have their temperature checked and be required to wear masks, and cleaning measures had been ramped up in preparation for the resumption of services.
READ MORE:
- ACT govt unveils $6 million hospitality package
- University of Canberra faces $33 million loss
- ACT businesses prepare for life after JobKeeper
- How are universities being affected by the pandemic?
- ACT remains free of coronavirus for 24 days
Mr Murray said further clarification was needed from the ACT government on how some safety measures would apply to the sector, but the company would adapt services as health advice changed.
"We've been engaging with government, engaging with the regulators ... trying to make sure we have a solution that actually works and is safe."
