Smart cards in all RTAs by September-end

Training school for KSRTC drivers to come up in Hassan

Transport Minister R Ashok told reporters that the department has already issued 1 lakh smart cards covering 10 RTAs, including Bangalore. By September end, the smart card distribution will begin at all RTAs in the State, he added.

Driving licence holders and vehicle owners will have to change over to the smart cards within two years. The smart card, costing Rs 200, will prevent forgery of licences and registration booklets.

The department has decided to discontinue with the system of offering inter-corporation transfers to drivers and conductors in its four Road Transport Corporations on payment of Rs 10,000 with immediate effect. Besides, a ban has been imposed on transferring drivers and conductors from one corporation to the other.

Ashok said the system was introduced three years ago to facilitate transfers from one corporation to the other. But it only created more problems. The system was misused by employees resulting in a lopsided balance in staff strength, he added.
In North East Road Transport Corporation for instance, the Minister said, there are 1,000 excess drivers as those working elsewhere managed to get transfers under the system. Now steps are being taken to evenly distribute drivers and conductors.
Ashok said the Government will refund nearly 500 drivers and conductors who have already paid Rs 10,000 under the system and the transfers will not be done.

Training school

The department is setting up a ‘model’ training school to train KSRTC drivers in Hassan at the cost of Rs 20 crore. The school is coming up on a 73 acre land. It will have a driving track, hostels, an auditorium, and other facilities, he said.