RTO Kashmir Releases New Guidelines for School Buses

RTO Kashmir Releases New Guidelines for School Buses

Srinagar, Mar 04: In a move to prioritize the safety of students commuting to and from school, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir has issued a set of permit conditions aligned with AIS-063 standards and Supreme Court guidelines.

The RTO, through a letter addressed to all school heads and transport managers, detailed the permit conditions essential for both school buses and hired transport services. These conditions, aimed at ensuring adherence to safety standards, cover various aspects of school transport management.

Regarding seating arrangements, the letter emphasizes forward-facing seats for all passengers, except those facing the passenger step well. It also mandates the installation of a partition for seats facing the step well and limits the number of children onboard to 1.5 times the permitted seating capacity for children under 12 years old.

Furthermore, the letter underscores the importance of essential facilities such as a first aid box, a water filter, and two ISI-marked ABC type Fire Extinguishers, strategically positioned at the front and rear of the bus.

In terms of documentation, the RTO requires vehicles to possess up-to-date permits, fitness certificates, insurance certificates, valid Token tax receipts, PUCC, SLD certificate, DL, and GPS certificate.

Drivers are expected to meet specific qualifications, including a minimum of 5 years of experience driving Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs). They must also maintain a complete list of children onboard along with a copy of the agreement with the school.

The letter highlights the responsibilities of drivers, emphasizing that those with repeated violations, such as red light jumping or driving under the influence, should not be employed. It also stresses the disqualification of drivers engaged in over speeding or dangerous driving.

In terms of vehicle appearance, the RTO mandates that school buses be painted yellow with ‘SCHOOL BUS’ clearly marked on the front and back. Additionally, the school’s name, telephone number, and ‘On School Duty’ (if hired) should be prominently displayed.

Safety features, including reliable door locks and horizontal window grills, are emphasized to ensure child safety. Moreover, buses must be equipped with a speed governor set to a maximum speed limit of 40 kmph.

Bag space is to be provided under seats to securely store school bags, with strict prohibitions on hanging bags outside the vehicle or placing them on roof carriers.

The presence of a qualified attendant onboard to supervise children during transit is deemed necessary, along with protocols for school drop-offs, particularly for kindergarten children.

Transport managers are required to prominently display their contact details inside and outside the bus to ensure accountability for safe transportation.

The letter concludes with a stern warning to school heads, advising against engaging with transport services that do not meet the requisite permit conditions. It emphasizes that any violations will result in strict action against the defaulters or violators.