A week after MiD DAY reported how private school buses were flouting norms, transport department gets tough; bus operators, however, demand permits and claim they are being harassed by cops
A week after MiD DAY reported how private school buses were flouting norms, transport department gets tough; bus operators, however, demand permits and claim they are being harassed by cops
It seems that the impasse between private school vehicle owners and the transport department is likely to continue for some time.
Even as the transport department cracks the whip on school buses found flouting norms, private school bus owners went on a day-long strike yesterday, demanding permit to regularise their services. They also alleged harassment by the police.
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| Parents had no other option but to drop their children using their own vehicles yesterday. |
Of the 3,000 schools in the city, only a handful owns vehicles, while others have to hire private vehicles to ferry school kids. Over 25,000 private school vehicles ply in the city, while there are only 5,000 school-owned buses.
"We know we are not authorised to carry children and that is why we are demanding a school permit for our vehicles," said M Govindarajan, president, United School and Light Vehicle Drivers. "To drive the point home we launched this strike, and I hope the government will respond positively."
He said that private vehicle owners were ready to follow norms such as painting the vehicles yellow and fitting speed governors to the vehicles among others if they were given a school permit.
Official responseIn response, the transport officials said that it was a policy matter and the final decision would be taken by the government.
"In a way, it is good to issue them school permits so that we can regulate them and oversee whether they are following norms," said Shafi Ahmed, regional transport officer, Jnanabhaathi. "However, it is for the government to take a call," he added.
He said the vehicle owners had given their memorandum and discussions, and procedures were to be followed at the government level before taking a final call.
In the meantime, the parents and school managements suffered because of the strike that resulted in traffic jams across the city, as the parents came to pick up their children in their own vehicles.
"Not all schools can afford to have their own vehicles and these private vehicles are of great help," said Renu Srinivasan, principal, Poorna Learning School. "I think it's better to issue them a permit. It ensures children's safety while also protecting employment of thousands of private drivers."
Without the school permit, vehicles have to carry children as taxis, which would be expensive for parents.
"Now we are paying Rs 300 per month for a vehicle. If they start demanding fare at taxi rates, we just can't pay," said Dakshayani, a parent in Chamarajpet.
Meera, principal, Shivana Academy, said, "Because of the strike, the attendance was very low yesterday.
We are worried; this would hamper the academics of children. I see no harm in issuing them the school permit, when they are ready to ensure safety of children and follow norms."
3,000Number of schools in the city
5,000Number of school-owned buses
25,000Number of private school vehicles plying in the city
Rs 300The current monthly fare of school vehicles
