Even as school students are gearing up for the mid-term examinations, which begin next week, the School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) has threatened to stop services with immediate effect, due to harassment by the Road Transport Office (RTO) speed governors.
The SBOA has alleged that the RTO speed governors have been confiscating their vehicles for non-compliance of safety norms laid down by the government. The association has contended that the RTO is guilty of contempt of court as the issue is subjudice.
Highlighting the arm-twisting tactics of the speed governors in some areas like Kalyan, Thane and other surrounding localities, Anil Garg, president of the SBOA said, “The speed governors are working in a dubious manner. While they are confiscating the buses, they are allowing other private services like vans and cars to operate by asking them to pay a fine for not fitting safety equipment recommended by the government,” said Mr Garg.
The safety measures recommended by the government include placing wired barriers on the windows, as well as shifting the escape latch (currently behind) to the centre. The measures were objected to by the SBOA on the grounds that it would require remodelling of the bus.
Mr Garg further added that the court had asked the government to file a report regarding non-compliance issues by the bus owners. “The government is yet to submit its report, but the RTO has already started taking action against us,” he said.
When contacted, S.V. Thakur, additional transport commissioner RTO said, “I am unaware of any confiscations by the speed governors and will have to look into the issue.”