The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) started operating special buses for school students on select routes from November 1. The special services are initially available on the following 12 routes – 23C, 29A, 11G, 12B, 21L, 27D, 29C, 47, 5B, 6D, 37B and 38C. Photo: M. Karunakaran
The launch of exclusive buses for school students by the MTC is a major step towards the safety of those travelling by bus. The school authorities are also happy about diminishing numbers of late comers for the past few days. Photo: M. Karunakaran
The accident involving a school van in Vedaranyam and the death of 5-year-old girl in Alandur, involving the school bus (seen in picture), are some of the harsh reminders that raised the issue of stringent safety measures for transportation of school children. Photo: A. Muralitharan
Private vans engaged by schools or parents are also common in the city, receiving good support, as some schools do not operate their own vehicles. It is also the only other option for parents when the school vans do not cover their locality. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
The awareness camps by schools and education departments about over-crowded vehicles transporting children seems to occur only after a tragic incident. However, all the measures vanish with time. Only road discipline at individual level can provide an optimal solution to transport accidents. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Many parents take their children to school using their private vehicles, as rash driving and lack of road discipline is a common scene in Chennai traffic. Instead of expecting the authorities to implement the laws, the responsibility should also be shared by the parents and the school authorities to ensure safety of the children. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
Over 5.5 lakh school students in the city hit the road every day. Of that, over two lakh depend on the Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses. The already crowded buses do not stop at certain stops, making it difficult for students to reach their school on time. Photo: M. Karunakaran
In spite of the special services operated by the MTC, school heads in north Chennai say that they have been ignored as only a few buses have been introduced in the route. Apart from introducing special services, rescheduling of school timings is another measure that the MTC suggests to reduce peak hour rush. Photo: N. Sridharan
As cycling and walking have become extremely unsafe, a safe bus to school is every child's basic right, says A. Veeraraghavan, Transportation Engineering Professor at IIT-Madras. Schools can also follow the Bangalore example and consider leasing MTC buses for short periods in the morning and evening. Photo: V. Ganesan
A group of students ride to their school on bicycle in Anna Nagar. M. Ravi, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) says that children's safety remains a priority and measures will be taken to provide safe space for cyclists within a one to two kilometre radius of school zones. Photo: K. Pichumani
Speed governors in school vehicles, staggering school times, safe cycling space in school zones are some of the future measures to ensure safety of the school students. “If students enter the classroom with less stress, the productivity and performance will be better. Studies show that concentration levels drop if students travel in a crammed environment. It is a societal responsibility to send children safely to school”, says Saraswathi Bhaskar, a child psychologist. Photo: M. Karunakaran