The Kancheepuram district administration announced guidelines with respect to the operation of school vehicles. The guidelines, around 12, were directed at educational institutions which operate their own vehicles or arrange transport facilities for their students.
These were announced at a meeting chaired by collector Hanish Chhabra at Kancheepuram and attended by superintendent of police, Kancheepuram police district, S. Manoharan, recently.
One of the guidelines insisted on the display of the words ‘School Bus’ on the front and back of institution-owned vehicles, and ‘On School Duty’ on vehicles hired by schools. The set of guidelines also require the management to ensure that only drivers with a minimum of 10 years of experience and a ‘flawless’ driving record be engaged for school vehicles.
The guidelines also mandated the presence of another person, other than the driver and a teacher, to accompany students when they commute between their homes and schools.
As far as safety measures were concerned, the guidelines laid down that additional grills be attached to windows; first-aid box and fire-fighting equipment be made available; the school name with phone numbers be displayed; baggage racks be provided beneath the seats; and the vehicles be equipped with foolproof and reliable door-locking system. More importantly, overcrowding should be avoided, the guidelines said.
As far as contract carriages and maxi-cab permit vehicles — hired by some schools or engaged by parents — were concerned, these vehicles do not have to sport yellow colour — a condition specifically laid down by the apex court to differentiate vehicles for students from other vehicles.
Mere display of ‘On School Duty’ on the front and back of the vehicle would suffice, sources said.
In view of the stringent conditions imposed on educational institutions operating school vehicles and on vehicles hired by them, the demand for engaging mini-vans or maxi-cabs is expected to increase.
Certain schools allegedly promoted third party investment in school vehicles and try to steer clear of any responsibility in cases of accidents involving the vehicles.
While the hiring of private service providers by companies/industrial units is considered legal under the Motor Vehicle Act, school vehicle permits are a must for vehicles used by educational institutions. For availing the school vehicle permit, the vehicle must be registered in the name of the educational institution, an expert said.
