School buses to go off roads today to protest against ‘impractical’ norms

A Government Resolution (GR),which was issued recently,had listed the norms applicable to all school bus transport. Anil Garg,president of School Bus Owners’ Association (SBOA),Mumbai,said,“The resolution states that there should be horizontal bars fitted to bus windows with a gap of 5 inches,but different RTOs cite different specifications. It also states that a pole post should be installed inside the vehicle,but old buses do not have it,and it is very difficult to install such poles now. On failing to follow the norms,bus operators have to face the action.”

One of the bus operators said,“According to the rule,it is mandatory to have a woman attendant in every bus,whose salary would be paid by the school transport committee. However,most schools refuse to do so and we are penalised by the RTO.”

Garg added,“In a circular issued by the transport department on July 17 this year,all our demands were accepted. We have cancelled our strikes several times in the past,but this time,the strike will not be called off unless our demands are met.”

After the strike on Tuesday,SBOA and other school bus operators across the state have decided to give a week to the RTO and state government to fulfil their demands. “We are going on a one-day strike now. We will give them a week’s time to fulfil our demands,failing which we will go on an indefinite strike from January 2,” Garg said.