MUMBAI: Now, private tourist bus operators are seeking relief from the government as they say that 75% of the fleet is off business.
They plan to take a delegation to state chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Said Malik Patel from Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana: “Majority of our operators have been badly hit during the pandemic and their buses are lying idle.
They have no support from any quarters and some are on the verge of shutting down.
On the other hand, the government has announced ‘bail out’ packages for MSRTC which has been operating throughout the year.
This is not fair and transport minister Anil Parab should also ensure that private bus operators survive in the market.” Parab was unavailable for comment.
The private bus operators have now listed out their demands which will be part of the memorandum to be submitted to CM.
This includes — 100% tax relief for 2021-2022 for public passenger vehicles, declaration of special package for school bus operators/ drivers and other staff, free parking for all public transport private buses till 2022 during pandemic, exemption of toll, extending age of vehicles by two years for all buses due to lockdown in which business was majorly hit and drivers, cleaners and other bus staff to be given priority for vaccination.