06 June,2011 07:02 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
The RTO has finally given the modified school buses the necessary registration, so it can ferry students to and from their schools in the new academic session
There's some relief in store for anxious city parents with kids who avail of the school bus services.
After showing initial reluctance, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has finally permitted all the recently modified school buses in the city to ply on the roads, accompanied by instructions to install speed governors at the earliest possible date MiD DAY carried a report on June 1, on the RTO's pending approval on school buses owing to the failure of bus-owners to install all the safety devices mentioned in the new regulations.
In the nick of time, however, the transport body agreed to give the vehicles the green signal, instructing the School Bus Owners' Association to install all safety devices, including speed governor, at the earliest possible.
The new buses come equipped with Global Positioning Systems, railings on windows so that students can't put their hands out, first-aid kits and fire extinguishers. The MiD DAY report on June 1
In the recent meeting with the State Transport Commissioner Dilip Jadhav, members of the association put forward several requests for revisions to the new regulations.
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Their primary request was for the registration of their vehicles.
They argued that the entire school transportation system would have been thrown awry, causing great inconvenience to students across the city, for whom the new term begins today.
Several other key issues were on the agenda. The association asked permission to ferry school children to picnics in nearby areas.
They also demanded that their representatives be included in the committees appointed by the body to keep a check on the safety measures.
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They requested the traffic authorities to ensure that harassment of bus drivers at the hands of traffic police is curbed.
They asked for an extension of the deadline to paint the buses in the regulation colour scheme.u00a0 They also asked the authorities to reconsider the limits they had imposed on the life span of the buses.
They asked for permission to ply their old vehicles, claiming that the prohibition would lead to a shortage of school buses, and result in children resorting to illegal and unsafe road transport.
The recently passed Supreme Court guidelines have also stipulated that every bus must have at least one authorised attendant on board till the last student alights.
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The members of the association requested that the onus for such an appointment be transferred from the school bus owners to the schools.
They also requested for that the 9-inch ground clearance of the step be revoked.
They asked for a reconsideration of the regulation retro-fitment of vertical pipes, claiming that the students would find it difficult to reach up to the pipes, if they were placed at such a height.
Moreover, they requested permission to fit the two regulation fire-extinguishers not outside, but within the driver's cabin, in order to prevent truant kids from playing with them.
They also requested the authorities to revoke the stipulation demanding retro-fitment of bag racks under the seat, citing that it would be disrespectful for books to be placed near the children's feet.
They requested the transport department to give special training for school bus driving to those drivers who had five years of experience.
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They also informed the authorities that the fitting of speed governors was not a feasible option at the moment.
Anil Garg, chairman of the association said, "Finally our new buses have been registered by RTO. It was a great relief for us, as denial of permission would have affected many students.
The RTO understood our concerns and granted us permission at the nick of time. We have been given some time by the department to make modifications.
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We will make the necessary upgradations. But there are some issues that need to be ironed out, and for the same, the transport commissioner has decided to hold some more meetings with the government."
Niyaz Ahmed, transport manager for Vibgyor School, said, "We have come to know that the RTO is registering our new school buses. For the first three days of the term, we will not be offering pickup services to kids.
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Within this period, however, we will identify the students and their specific bus stops. For the first three days, our old students will avail of the pickup services offered by temporary buses that we have roped in."
Official speak
Dilip Jadhav, State Transport Commissioner, said, "We met with the association last week, decided to bail out the schools by registering the buses before school reopens on Monday. We don't want the school going children to be inconvenienced in any way.
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There are several other requests made by the association to Regarding their plea that we revoke the regulation lady attendant, we have asked them to meet with the committee, which comprises parents, teachers, local police and school officials. The Government will decide on their other demands."
It's time for schools and colleges across the city to reopen for the new academic session. Keeping this in mind, MiD DAY will be bringing you a series of reports on significant issues related to the sphere of education.
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The stories will range from safety guidelines for school buses to the contentious issue of fee hikes. Also on the agenda will be the upcoming SSC results and the online admission procedures for educational institutions in the city. Remember, knowledge is power.
