Bus services resume in Suzu City

People in quake-hit Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, are hopping back on the bus with the resumption of some public transport services on a trial basis. Key routes reopened on February 13 after urgent roadworks.

Before the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day, the municipality-run Suzu Bus serviced eight routes in the city. Two of the city's nine buses were rendered unusable by the tsunami, and many roads were closed due to damage.

During the weeks since, there have been growing calls for the resumption of bus services to the city hall, shopping centers, and hospitals. With the partial restoration of damaged roads, city officials found a way to get people moving again.

Five routes that connect schools, hospitals, and other facilities are on trial. Drivers can be flexible with navigation according to road conditions.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a temporary service is operating between evacuation centers and the city hall.

Suzu Bus director Ueno Akio says: "We are in a difficult situation with most drivers commuting to work from the evacuation centers, but we want to fulfill our responsibility as a public transportation service."

Click the Suzu City website for more details:
https://www.city.suzu.lg.jp/site/bousaisuzu/12602.html
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