The recent incident of a child being killed due to the carelessness of a school bus driver has once again turned the spotlight on the problems of commuting students. The usual blame game has begun with parents and guardians on the one side, and the school authorities and the transport department on the other. In any case, it is the collective responsibility of all citizens to ensure safe commuting for children.
Typical reactionary responses like coming out with a new set of norms and guidelines for bus operators and precautions to be put in place are not going to address the issue. One needs to think from the child’s perspective. How would he or she like to commute to school so that it is a safer and more enjoyable experience?
In a survey conducted last year among children in schools of Jaynagar, it was discovered that a significant portion (about 46 %) preferred to ride a bicycle to school, instead of walking, commuting by bus (BMTC or school bus), auto, taxi or van. Even in our school days, cycling to school was a most enjoyable activity. However we have left students with little option by the choices we have made for them.
The lack of effective public transportation and the failure to encourage safe and comfortable non-motorized transport in cities have forced children to use other modes of transport to get to schools. It is time we did a re-think on these issues to make commuting to school safer and more enjoyable.
(The author is founder, Gubbi Labs and an urban planner)