School transport safety under scanner as RTO inspects 100+ Buses across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Authorities said enforcement will continue this month, while operators urged stricter action against thousands of unregistered private vans allegedly transporting students without permits or safety compliance.

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Random inspections by the RTO across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have once again brought school transport safety under scrutiny. Officials inspected more than 100 buses and initiated action against 21 operators for violating norms under the state’s school bus policy. In a separate crackdown, four vehicles were caught illegally transporting students without valid permits. Authorities said the enforcement drive will continue until the end of the month.The checks focused on compliance with mandatory safety measures for school transport, including adherence to passenger capacity limits and the availability of emergency and medical equipment. The state policy requires every school to constitute a transport committee headed by the principal and including a PTA representative. Contracted buses must also have women attendants carrying identity cards. Other mandatory provisions include first-aid boxes, student information records for emergencies, and two 5kg ISI-marked fire extinguishers — one in the driver’s cabin and another near the rear emergency door.Welcoming the RTO’s action, Anil Garg of the School Bus Operators Association said enforcement must also target unregistered vehicles ferrying students. “It’s a very good initiative by the RTO. But what about private illegal school vans? More than 18,000 such vans are operating in the MMR region with white number plates — without permits, licences, insurance or tax. Why are they not being checked?” he asked, referring to non-transport vehicles allegedly being used for school commutes.Garg said these smaller vehicles have gradually “overshadowed” authorised school buses and are now the more common sight outside school gates. “These vehicles flout rules and compromise student safety,” he said.

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