Last week, the Karachi Traffic Police announced a new set of rules that school transportation service providers must comply with by August 21, 2015. The responsibility of ensuring that these regulations are implemented by the specified deadline lies with the schools’ administration; schools found to be in violation of these rules will face legal action.
If you are a parent whose children commute via a school bus, ensure that the vehicle complies with the new bus safety regulations drafted by the Sindh Transport Authority, which include:
* All school buses must be painted blue. (Incidentally, the Sindh Transport Authority had stated last year that they should be painted yellow.)
* School buses can only be powered by petrol or diesel; CNG and LEG are forbidden, mainly due to the safety risks they pose. Furthermore, CNG and/or LEG kits and cylinders should be removed.
* School bus drivers cannot make fuel stops, play music or smoke while children are on board the vehicle.
The use of pick-up trucks as school buses has been forbidden due to safety concerns.
* An attendant should be present to ensure that children get on and off the bus without incident and remain seated at all times.
Other guidelines that should to be complied with – as per the School Bus Safety bill introduced in May 2014 – include:
* Every school bus must have at least two doors.
* Every school bus should be inspected annually by the Regional Motor Vehicle Inspector. Once the vehicle passes the inspection, the owner will receive a fitness/maintenance certificate that should be displayed in the vehicle to indicte that its safety requirements have been updated.
* There must be at least one functioning fire extinguisher in place.
By Ayesha Sheikh