Photos of schools vans and other smaller vehicles ferrying students in the city, collected by the SBOA

As city schools reopened for the new academic year, post the summer break, school vans and other small vehicles have come out in large numbers to ferry students. The School Bus Owners Association (SBOA), however, has taken serious offence because as per the Centre's orders last year, vehicles with a capacity lower than 13 seats cannot be used as school transport. SBOA, which alleged harassment by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) last month after being refused permits due to safety concerns, have now slammed the double standards of the authorities for turning a blind eye to "unsafe", below 13-seater vans.