Private bus operators to stop services during weekend curfew

They mull halting operations till May 4 in view of closure of all non-essential commercial activities

Private bus operators across the State, who initially had planned to shut services during the weekend curfew, are now mulling to stop operating till May 4 in view of the government closing down all non-essential commercial activities and imposing hefty fine for not adhering to 50% occupancy rule on buses. “It is nothing but complete lockdown and goes against what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said about being cautious on imposing lockdown,” said Karnataka Private Bus Owners Association president K. Rajavarma Ballal. The association has already decided not to operate buses on two weekends; but Thursday’s government move to close down all non-essential commercial establishments has left the operators with no choice. A final decision will be taken by Monday, Mr. Ballal told The Hindu.