Passengers travelling by bus within the state will now have to pay double the rates, bus owners announced on Sunday evening after a meeting at the Khadgara bus stand here to discuss modalities of resuming operations.

“Considering various aspects, we have devised a simple fare revision method. Since the government is asking us to ply buses with 50 per cent occupancy, we have decided to charge a passenger double the usual rate. In other words, a passenger booking one seat has to pay for two,” said Ranchi Bus Association president Krishna Mohan Singh.

While some bus operators have begun plying their vehicles, officials said that all buses would resume full-fledged operations from September 1. Of around 10,000 buses in the state, around 2,500 operate from Ranchi alone.

Singh said the hike in fares was imperative to sustain the business. “The buses were grounded for over five months causing wear-and-tear and require immense investment to make them road worthy again. Then, fuel prices were hiked a number of times. Also, the state government hasn’t provided any road tax subsidy,” he said, adding that bus travel would work out cheaper for the public compared to using a private car.

Announcing relaxations in lockdown norms in view of the coming entrance examinations, JEE and NEET on Friday, the state government allowed resumption of bus services and hotels, lodges, restaurants and saloons to open.

On Saturday, the state transport department issued SOPs which specified that buses were to run with 50 per cent capacity in addition to other norms in line with what has been announced by the state and centre.

The SOPs mandate thermal scanning of every passenger before boarding, sufficient distance between passengers, and regular sanitisation of seats.

“Buses with valid road and route permits from the competent authority will only be allowed to ply on the streets,” state transport secretary K. Ravikumar said on Saturday.

The driver’s cabin should also be covered with plastic sheets. “The cabin around the driver’s seat should be covered by a plastic sheet and bus staff on-board are mandated to wear masks, gloves and face shields,” he said, adding that spitting or consuming tobacco in public would attract fines and/or punishment.

Also, bus operators have been advised to download the Arogya Setu app and told to keep detailed records of passengers.