PRTC not to ply buses in city today

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 24

In the wake of the verdict in a case involving dera chief, the PRTC has decided to suspend its services on August 25. Private bus operators have also decided not to ply their buses tomorrow.

Earlier, the PRTC had decided to ply its mini buses till 2 pm in the city. But after getting instructions from the head office in Patiala, it decided to suspend its services in the city. The head office has directed the sub-offices, including Bathinda, Budhlada, Barnala and Sangrur, not to not ply buses on August 25.

The PRTC office in the city has closed two gates of the bus stand and restricted the entry of any suspicious vehicle or person.

Baltej Singh from private bus operators said, “We have unanimously decided to not ply the buses in the city after seeing the ground situation. We have been incurring losses for the past two days as most of the passengers either postponed or rescheduled their journey. We are also following the directions of the administration.”

Sita Ram, Superintendent, PRTC, said, “Security guards of the PRTC will perform their duties round the clock on August 25 and 26. We have set up a temporary control room to avoid any untoward incident. We are also filling water cans and have brought a crane to deal with any situation. We have also installed first-aid boxes and fire extinguishers at the bus stand and the workshop.” 

Surender Singh, General Manager, Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation, said, “We have already made all the needful arrangements. We will follow the directions of the administration. Besides, we are not plying the buses on August 25 to ensure the safety of the buses and employees.”