Transport dept to rein in school buses
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Even as the city school buses are yet to comply with the six-year-old Supreme Court directive, the State Transport department is planning to bring in additional changes in the existing rules to make school buses fall in. Safety in school buses was once again brought to the fore when a four-year-old boy was killed because of the negligence of the school bus driver. The transport department that till now, was complacent in its approach, assured that in the new few months, things will change.
“With respect to safety, there is need for ensuring that school buses fall in line. Hence we have suggested that there should be certain amendments in the Motor Vehicle Act,” said Maruthi Sambrani, Joint Commissioner (Enforcement). After bringing in the changes in the Motor Vehicle Act, all school buses will have to abide by the rules laid down for getting a permit to operate as a school cab. Only those vehicles that have this permit can ferry school children, informed Mr Sambrani. Anyone found flouting the rule will be penalised under sections 192, 177 and 200 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
The question here is, if in the last six years, the Transport Department has been unable to enforce the directives of the Supreme Court, how is it going to bring in changes in the next few months. The Supreme Court had given several directives such as buses must have footboards for boarding and de-boarding. Every bus should have collapsible doors. School buses should have first-aid boxes and fire extinguishers. Every bus should have two emergency exits, seats should be low, speed governors should be installed and there should always be an attender in the bus.
Parents express helplessness. “The school my daughter goes to has no bus service, hence we have to depend on private transporters recommended by the school. We know it is not safe, we worry about her safety. We have requested the school several times, should not the onus for safety be on the school authorities,” questioned Chainaram Sudhar, father of 6-year-old Vanshika, living in Prashant Nagar.
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