Bus operators capitalise on ‘tinted films’ rule

VIOLATION: An Aero Express bus covered with advertisements. Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

The apathy of Transport Department authorities in enforcing motor vehicle rules effectively has come as a blessing in disguise for private and public bus operators to earn more advertisement revenue. Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, the visual transmission of light from the windscreen and rear window should be 60 per cent and side windows 40 per cent.

However, many bus operators, including the Aero Express, violate these rules and display advertisements covering the entire bus body.

Of the 25-odd Aero Express buses, majority of them display advertisements of steel companies, banks and other commercial establishments. In tune, some private bus owners who operate buses to Vijayawada and other coastal districts are also displaying advertisements of movies and consumer products.

Last year, the transport department authorities levied fines to the tune of Rs. 2,000 on car owners for using tinted films on window panes.

This apart, they served notices instructing them to remove the films.

The objective behind the rule is to ensure safety to passengers.

Though the rule was incorporated under motor vehicle rules long back, it was implemented only a couple of years back.

This was particularly after the rise in complaints of misbehaviour by drivers and passengers inside buses and cabs in Bangalore, New Delhi and other cities, explains a senior official from the Transport Department.

The Aero Express operators had appealed for permission to display advertisements on the buses. But that could prompt other operators to seek similar permission and violate rules, he said.

Notices served

Joint Transport Commissioner B. Venkateswarlu informs that notices were served on the Aero Express operators by Ranga Reddy RTO to remove the advertisements on their buses. Action would be taken on the operators if they failed to follow the orders, he added.