RTO drive against non-compliance of safety norms by school vehicles

The Regional Transport Office (RTO), Mysuru Division, has warned strict action against the education institutions and travel agents, operating vehicles to ferry schoolchildren, if they fail to comply with the safety norms.

The RTO officials have swung into action to identify vehicles that flout safety norms. The authorities have already seized more than 55 vehicles for violations.

The Transport department has identified many vehicles without fitness certificate, attendants, permit to operate school trips, overloading, unqualified drivers, etc.

The officials have launched a special drive across the district to ensure the safety of children.

Deputy Commissioner for Transport and Senior RTO C B Kuberappa told Deccan Herald, “The department has seized a bus of a reputed school in the city.

Though the officials have asked the school to produce relevant documents, the school management is yet to respond.”

He says, the education institutions are responsible for children’s safety till they reach home. “The vehicle crew (driver and attendant) are directly responsible as they are the caretakers of children during travel. The driver must have a minimum of four years driving experience and the attendant must be capable of caring for children.

But, many schools, appoint unqualified drivers and attendants, without bothering about the children’s safety,” he said.

To ensure safety of children and also to warn schools, the RTO has asked the Education department to keep a vigil on school vehicles and also to create awareness among parents, children and school authorities.

In less than 15 days, the Transport department has seized more than 55 vehicles in the district.

While Hunsur RTO has seize 34 vehicles for ferrying schoolchildren violating norms, Mysuru West RTO has seized 21 vehicles, including a school bus of a reputed education institution.

Hunsur Assistant RTO J P Gangadhara said, of the 34 vehicles, 11 belong to education institutions and the rest are goods carrier, cabs and light motor vehicles. As per rules, every school using school cabs should have a safety committee, comprising parents, representatives of transporters and school staff to oversee safe transportation and the committee should verify all documents pertaining to the vehicle and ensure that the safety norms are followed.

Parents support

The RTO DC said, parents play a vital role in averting the menace. No school or travel agent ferrys children free of cost, so, parents should demand their kids safety. If parents show interest, the menace will come down automatically, added the DC.

Student bus pass

Kuberappa said, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha has asked the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to issue passes to schoolchildren without delay and has instructed the RTO to take stringent measures against violators. Despite the department asking the education institutions to maintain norms since three years, many institutions are not bothered, he said.