How to get around in your city: New transport rules in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata

With lockdown restrictions easing across the country under the central government's Unlock 1 plan as well as various state agendas, public transport and private vehicles are slowly getting back on the streets. However, rules continue to vary across the country and apply only to non-containment zones.

Here's your guide to transport rules in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and Kolkata

Movement of vehicles in Mumbai

Under Phase 1 of “Mission Begin Again”, the Maharashtra government has permitted unrestricted inter-district movement of people in areas that fall under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This includes the city of Mumbai, suburban Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and part of Raigad district.

This means people can travel freely between Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivili, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar and Panvel without needing an e-pass.

This relaxation applies only to private vehicles. Taxis and auto rickshaws are allowed only for essential services.

Inter-state and inter-district movement elsewhere in the state will continue to be regulated.

Transport rules in Delhi

Within Delhi, the administration has brought in a number of lockdown relaxations. Delhi Transport Corporation buses can ply but with not more than 20 passengers.

More than two passengers, excluding the driver, are allowed in four-wheelers, and pillion riders are allowed on two-wheelers.

Auto rickshaws and e-rickshaws are also allowed.

Metro services, however, remain suspended.

Uber and Ola have also resumed services, but only two passengers are allowed. Car-pooling and ride-sharing services are prohibited.

Movement of vehicles across Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

There's much confusion among commuters on movement-related rules between Delhi, Gurugram and Noida due to varying regulations in each state.

While the Haryana government had resumed inter-state buses under the central government's revised lockdown rules, Delhi sealed its borders for a week on 1 June after a steep surge in coronavirus cases.

The Noida administration, too, said its border with Delhi will remain closed until further notice.

To clear this confusion, the Supreme Court, on Thursday, directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana authorities to decide within a week on one common travel policy and recommended coming out with one pass that's recognised across the NCR.

Movement of vehicles in Bengaluru; inter-state travel in Karnataka

Greatly easing lockdown restrictions, the Karnataka government has said there will be no restriction on inter-state movement of persons and goods.

No separate permissions, approvals or e-permits will be required for such movement of vehicles.

Those coming from Maharashtra, however, will have to go through seven days of institutional quarantine and also present a COVID negative test, and transit travellers from Maharashtra will have to show their train or flight ticket of their onward journey.

The Karnataka government has also permitted state transport buses to operate even during the night curfew hours 9pm to 5am.

Autos, taxis and cabs are allowed to operate during the curfew hours across the state.

In Bengaluru, buses (with limited seating), rickshaws and cars are back on the roads from 5am to 9pm. Sundays come with a strict night curfew between 7pm and 7am.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has started 23 Vayu Vajra (AC Volvo) bus services to Kempegowda International Airport. They will be available from the Mysore satellite bus stand, Kempegowda bus stand, Banashankari, Electronics City and BTM layout.

Uber and Ola have also resumed services.

Metro services, however, remain suspended.

Public and private transport in Pune

While citizens were already allowed to go for walks and ride cycles, from today, they can also commute by auto rickshaws, taxis and their own cars. But these relaxations only apply in areas that don't fall under containment zones.

Public transport in Kolkata

Government buses, taxis and auto rickshaws are all back in operation in Kolkata, though they have been asked to limit the number of passengers.

Taxis, radio taxis and auto rickshaws are allowed with only two passengers.

Private cars are permitted with valid e-passes, but with only three passengers, including the driver.

Ferry services have also resumed.

Private bus operators, while allowed, have decided to stay off the streets fearing losses if they ferry fewer passengers.

Local trains and metro services, which carry the most number of people in Kolkata and between the city and its suburbs, remain suspended.