Do city school buses follow prescribed safety norms? “Not all of them,” say the Road Transport Authority (RTA) officials who intercepted buses and even seized a few for flouting the norms.
Six teams of RTA personnel comprising three inspectors each fanned out across the city and registered cases against two school buses on Tuesday, the second day of this academic year. A day before, the officials also booked five school buses and seized one for violating the the safety norms.
“Depending on the gravity of the violation of norms and history, we will impose a fine. The permit of the vehicles will also be cancelled if needed,” said E. Meera Prasad, Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC).
Rules mandate that vehicles belonging to educational institutes must display its name and address, and telephone number of a school official on its left and rear. The driver should be aged below 60, have a health card, a valid licence and a minimum of five years of experience as a bus driver. Besides, a complaint book and a first-aid box should be available.
Each bus should have an attendant who must not be allowed to drive. Every vehicle must carry a list of the children travelling and have a fire extinguisher and an emergency exit.
Surprise checks
In order to catch the erring vehicles, Mr. Prasad said the surprise checks would continue for a week.