The Transport Department has issued new conditions for issuance of permits to private service vehicles belonging to educational institutions.
The new rules were framed in compliance with guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. All educational institution buses plying under a private service vehicle permit should be painted yellow, said S.D. Sundaresan, Additional Secretary, Transport in a notification.
The words ‘School/College bus’ must be written on the back and front of the bus. If it is a hired bus, ‘On School Duty’ should be clearly indicated. Bus should have a first-aid box and fire extinguisher. The vehicle should be fitted with speed-governor with a pre-set speed of 45 km per hour.
The windows of the bus should be fitted with horizontal grills. The school’s name, telephone number, fitness certificate and insurance validity and tax paid must be visible on the bus. The doors of the bus should be fitted with reliable locks.
The notification also added that there should be space under seats to keep school bags. There must be a qualified attendant in the bus to monitor children. Any parent/guardian or a teacher may also be allowed to travel to ensure these safety norms.
Issuing the stringent conditions, the Transport Department also said the driver should have at least five years of experience of driving in similar category of vehicles. “A driver who has been challaned more than twice in a year for offences of red light jumping, violation of lane discipline, rash and negligent driving or allowing unauthorised person to drive cannot be employed,” said the notification. All educational institution buses should have emergency exit as per the standard.
In order to enable the parents of the students transported through educational institution vehicles, an exclusive parent teacher association should be formed to offer suggestions periodically, with regard to the operation/maintenance of educational institution buses and safety of the students. The principal concerned should consider the representations received from the association and take necessary action to redress the issues, said Transport Department.
