BANGKOK, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's main operator of public transit buses on Thursday announced it has scrapped all social distancing rules inside buses now that the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) had as of Thursday, reported a straight 31 day free of new local COVID-19 infection.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) said it is relaxing social distancing requirements also to serve the new school term.

"From now on, companions and family members can sit close to one another in all BMTA-run buses," said Surachai Iamwachirakul, BMTA director-general.

He also said there would be more bus passengers including students and parents when the new school term starts on July 1.

"We have cleared the scrapping of social distancing rules on buses with the Ministry of Transport already," said Surachai.

Surachai said he expects the number of Bangkok bus passengers to rise to about 900,000 a day.

The state enterprise will use all its 3,000 buses and operate about 25,000 bus trips a day.

Buses would be cleaned and disinfected before daily service. There will be alcohol gel available on buses.

However Surachai recommended that if the buses are not packed, he would still like to see passengers sit apart from one another for precautionary purposes.

He said he had already instructed bus drivers and attendants to wear face masks and gloves while on duty.