Crackdown on rickety school buses

A fire extinguisher, first aid kit, an experienced driver and speed limit of 40 km are the new rules set out for school buses plying in the twin cities by the Regional Transport Authority. The guidelines have to be followed by all schools from the new academic year.   With the due date of renewal of fitness certificates for school buses being May 15, RTA officials have issued new rules and regulations for safe ride of school children in the city. The transport authority has also decided to crack the whip on rickety buses being run by corporate and private school managements. D Panduranga Rao, joint transport commissioner told City Express they would issue fitness certificates for school buses from next month. “We are also writing to all corporate and private school managements to attend the fitness drive, which is scheduled to be held in the Nagole RTO office,” he added. With increasing complaints being received over unfit buses being run by many school managements, RTA has decided to strictly implement rules and regulations of the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure a safe and happy journey for school kids. Reportedly, a few managements were plying school buses with excess seating capacity and without proper documents and fitness certificates, violating rules of the Act. Panduranga Rao said all buses should have front and rear mirrors along with hand rails along the steps as a must. Buses also should provide overhead containers to keep school bags, along with functioning speedometer and horn.There are about 3,000 schools in the twin cities- out of which 2,200 are private schools and 800 government institutions. RTA officials estimate that about 1,000 private school buses are plying in the city with most unfit for transporting school children. To comply with rules and regulations, RTA officials are planning to constitute a committee comprising parents, school staff and officials to keep a check on fitness of school buses. 

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com