This year about 215 school buses were seized for various violations: senior transport official
Reckless:Auto drivers carry eight to 10 children in one trip even though the law restricts them from carrying more than six children.– Photo: Nagara Gopal A new academic year has commenced, triggering many problems for parents, particularly regarding the transportation of their children to schools. In addition to the rising transportation fee, safety of children is another worrying factor for parents these days.
The Transport Department has listed out many rules that vehicle owners should adhere to while carrying children in school buses and auto-rickshaws. But many still violate them, risking the children’s safety.
While some school managements ignore the necessity to have an attendant in the school bus, many auto drivers carry eight to 10 children in one trip. This is even after the law restricts them from carrying more than six children in one auto.
There are about 1,500 school and college buses in the city. Every year, before the commencement of a new academic year, the Transport Department seizes many school buses for operating without valid documents. This year, about 215 school buses were seized for various violations, explains Joint Transport Commissioner G. Panduranga Rao.
Apart from the lack of a fitness certificate, other violations include drivers operating the bus without valid licence, poor maintenance, attendants driving the bus etc. Though most managements have a fleet of good vehicles, there is still scope for improvement, he adds.
Managements charge about Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 per month per child as transportation fee and yet do not find the need to follow rules, points out Hyderabad Schools Parents Association president N. Ravi Kumar.
Auto-rickshaws charge about Rs.800 a child per month but parents are not assured that their wards will have a safe and comfortable journey.
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