Crackdown on bus operators 500 services off

If 1,500 vehicles were booked in 2012, some 1,696 vehicles have been seized in the last two months after the Volvo crash that killed about 50 persons. Road Transport Authority officials say that the drive against erring bus operators would continue

In the past, a drive against bus operators was undertaken for a few days after an accident, and then it was all back to square one. This time around, the Road Transport Authority is serious about its work. Thanks to its intensive vigilance, 500 bus operators have shut shop. Since November 1 to date, 1,696 buses have been booked and 1,373 have been seized. Some 125 more are under scrutiny and under different stages of investigation.

The Road Transport Authority officials seem determined to continue the clampdown with renewed vigour. B Venkateshwarulu, joint transport commissioner (vigilance and enforcement), says, “Our first priority is the safety of passengers and we are taking all measures to curb every possible violation. The intensified vigilance will continue in the future.”

The department has better staff. About 160 assistant vehicle inspectors were recruited last year. However, criminal charges cannot be filed as per the Motor Vehicles Act and the case has to be looked into within three days.

Measures taken in last two months

Identification of repeated offenders is being made and higher rate of penalty is imposed. As a result of the continuous drive, 500 services have stopped.

Criminal charges also were filed against two operators who were found carrying fire crackers. Some 339 vehicles in Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts have been seized. HSC Bose, president, AP Private Bus Operators Association, says, “It is nothing but dadagiri by the authorities. Hundreds of families are dependent on this business. The government is unable to provide proper services and it is the private bus operators who come to the rescue on all important festivals and occasions.

Not all operators are violators. There are certain rules that need to be imposed such as speeding and having qualified drivers. But harassing operators is not going to solve issues.”

Plea for more teeth to Motor Vehicles Act

The road transport authorities have written to the central government to provide more teeth to the MV Act. B Venkateshwarulu said, “The All-India tourist permit vehicles are exempted from speed governors. We have written to the government to impose a limit of 65 km per hour.

As of now the buses have only one emergency exit. We have proposed for a second door.”

Malik, a frequent traveller said, “Most of the accidents take place due to over speeding. If that could be regulated, many an accident can be averted.”

One of the reasons for bus operators continuing to flout norms is the absence of a law to invoke criminal charges. They go back to usual business, but this time around the authorities seem determined.

Reasons for seizure of vehicles