Even as schools reopened on Monday, the school bus operators’ association said they are still helpless as the Maharashtra government has not announced any standard operating procedure (SOP) for school buses yet.

“Has the government forgotten us? How will the students, who live far, travel to school? Have schools opened only for kids who live nearby or does the government want parents to take the responsibility of transport themselves. Students are not allowed on local trains while public transport buses are saturated. How will the students as well as staff travel to school every day? If school buses are allowed, they could avail the services,” said Anil Garg, president of School Bus Owners` Association (SBOA), Maharashtra.