New public transport vehicles to have GPS

PUNE: The State Transport Department has made it mandatory for all buses and trucks to install Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled tracking system. Installation of such a system will help prevent the misuse of permits, improve safety of women and children and keep a check on those evading taxes. 

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials will ensure compliance and track vehicles on the National Vehicle Tracking Portal.

According to Pune Regional Transport Officer BI Ajri, “New vehicles used in public transport (except autorickshaws, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and a few other vehicles which do not need permits) won’t be registered if they don’t have Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) and panic buttons.”

While panic buttons will allow passengers to seek immediate help from authorities including the police, VTS allows authorities to locate the vehicle’s location using GPS.

The notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) on October 25, 2018 made these features mandatory for new vehicles, but it was left to the state governments to decide about the existing vehicles. “The Maharashtra government has decided to give more time for existing vehicles for fitting these features,” the officer said.

“The rule came into effect from January 1. All public/ passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles with national permits have to install AIS-140 device, which is a certified VTS developed by BSNL and an emergency button. They have also been made mandatory to obtain a vehicle registration / fitness certificates from any RTO across the country,” said Ajri.

THE NEW SYSTEM
- It is mandatory to obtain a vehicle registration or fitness certificate from any RTO. 
- The respective RTO officials will ensure compliance. 
- Once details are integrated, the State can monitor vehicle’s movement and its location, get overspeeding alerts and emergency alerts if a panic button is pressed by any passenger. 
- The State or its authorised agency can take preventive or corrective action. 
- The entire system comprising vehicle tracking and emergency response system will ensure passenger safety and help prevent accidents and ensure road safety.
(As told to Sakal Times by Pune RTO BI Ajri.)