Mangaluru: For the first time in four months, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTCS) in Karnataka and Kerala began the Interstate bus service between Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod on Friday.
Service was suspended in August after an increase in Covid cases in two districts on both sides of the border.
The KSRTC bus on the route Mangaluru-Kasaragod ended their journey in Talapady, while Kerala’s SRTC also runs a cut service.
However, on Friday, Dakshina Kannada District Administration allows services to continue, but with motorists.
It was said that daily commuters, including students and those who worked in various sectors in Dakshina Kannada, had to undergo a RT-PCR test once every seven days.
Those who have a population in Mangaluru must provide a negative report of Covid-19 which is no more than 72 hours.
Passengers must also produce certificates that are fully vaccinated on request, said KV Rajendra, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner.
“The weekly test level in Dakshina Kannada has fallen to 0.3%, so we decided to provide bus services to continue,” said Rajendra.
“Hundreds of people travel every day between Kerala and Karnataka for various purposes, including education and work and there is a big demand for continuing bus services.” However, he said, commuting must be obliged to wear a mask and follow the appropriate behavior of Covid.
Rajendra has directed the SRTC from Kerala and Karnataka to provide bus details that cross the border every day.
“Bus conductors on the route between countries must allow passengers to the board only after verifying documents.
Those who have Covid-19 symptoms should not be allowed to travel,” he said.
On Friday, 28 buses from the Mangaluru Division KSRTC and 24 buses from Kerala’s SRTC started the service on the route.
Both corporations have not yet decided on long-distance services, including mangaluru-ernakulam and other routes.