No cap on maximum distance for scrapping private buses

The government has not imposed any restriction on private buses as far as the maximum distance they run before being scrapped.

Replying to a question by C T Ravi (BJP), Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told the Assembly that the government-run buses are scrapped once they cover around 7.5 lakh km and there is no such norm for private buses.

”KSRTC usually scraps a bus if it completes running 7.5 lakh km. Sometimes the rule is relaxed till 8- 8.5 lakh km, but not beyond that. But private operators run their bus as long as it is in good condition,” the minister said.

According to the statement made by the minister to a query by Eshwar Khandre (Cong), it is the government buses which have been causing more accidents than those run by private operators in the current year. As many as 1,839 accidents have been caused by the state-run buses in 2013 leading to the death of 713 persons, while 1,340 accidents involving private buses have claimed 351 lives.

Reddy, referring to the recent Volvo bus accidents, said instructions have been given to officials to ensure that all public transport buses have emergency exit doors. Transporting goods by buses has been banned and it is mandatory to instal speed governors. Tourist buses must have trip sheets with details of travelers. The copies of the trip sheets should be available in the bus and with the bus operators. A copy should also be submitted to the transport authority.

To a question,  Minister H K Patil, on behalf of Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, said the caste census would commence in April-May next year. The exercise is estimated to cost Rs 117 crore. The minister said the government intends to complete the survey in six months.