Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 3: The transport department has barred transportation of students to schools in Omni and other private vehicles and warned of cancellation of registrations in case of violations.

Vehicles already being used on hire basis for carrying school children should be registered as school vehicles in which case there will be a rebate of 50 percent in tax. They can run vehicles on hire basis for others too, clarified deputy transport commissioner here, G S Hegde. Some of the main points to be followed as per Motor Vehicles Act are that the vehicle on contract should have permit, seating capacity of the vehicle should not exceed 12+1, sanctioned seating capacity should not have been altered, the vehicles should be fitted with approved speed governors, and speed limit of 40 km per hour should not be crossed.

The other rules are that the vehicles should not have crossed 15 years of life from their date of registration, they should be painted yellow, with green band with a width of 150 mm painted in the middle of the body where the words, 'school vehicle' should be boldly written on all the four sides. If the vehicle is run by LPG kit, it should be approved kit, and the same should be get certified by registration authority. No seats should be provided over the LPG kit. Drivers should possess light motor vehicle driving licence with an experience of not less than four years. Provision for placing school bags should be made inside the doors.

Names, address, telephone no etc should be written outside the vehicles or a list of these details should be fitted. The vehicles should have names, class, address of homes, telephone or cellphone numbers of children, blood group, route etc. The vehicles used as school vehicles should have a strong roof and covered body. Every school should form school vehicle safety committee.

Hegde said that although as per rules auto rickshaws cannot carry school children, at present, the same is being allowed with a maximum of six children per auto. Autos, he said, need not be converted into school vehicles. He said that transport and police departments will undertake operations with mutual understanding as both the departments face shortage of personnel. Deputy commissioner of police, Dr Sanjeev Patil, said that the personnel will visit schools and colleges and hand over vehicles that are found to be violating rules. He asked parents, vehicle drivers and school administrations to give top priority to safety of children.