It takes only a couple of protest marches and strikes to hike the bus, auto and taxi charges in Kerala. But, when it comes to the implementation of safety measures in public transport vehicles, even rules declared by the former transport minister Lonappan Nambadan in early 80s is gathering dust.
Nambadan had introduced a rule that conductors had to wear a nameplate after authorities received several complaints. The aim was to help people identify the culprit. But, neither the bus authorities nor the motor vehicles department implemented it.
“None of the directives, aimed at passenger safety, have materialized. For instance, not a single bus has a proper first-aid box. The list of problems is long and it includes speed governors, prescribed door model, door space, displaying the stages and fares and time allotted for a passenger to board the bus,” said managing trustee of the Centre for Consumer Education Dijo C Kappen, adding that the footboards of most buses have a higher ground clearance and passengers, especially women, have problems while boarding or alighting.
KSRTC chief traffic manager KM Irshad stressed that their primary objective is passenger safety. “Our buses have speed governors, we have rectified the footboard problem and drivers have standing instructions to drive carefully. If an accident happens, the driver of that particular bus is given a refresher course and he can report for duty only after getting a pass certificate,” he said, adding that KSRTC’s buses have proper first aid boxes.
“As per motor vehicles act, buses should run after locking both doors. Bus operators claim it is impractical citing time and space crunch,” said PV Mehaboob, a passenger.
State secretary of the confederation of road transport employees KV Haridas said employees never opposed safety measures. “Whenever an accident takes place, it is the driver and conductor who are penalized. We are forced to drive fast due to pressure from owners,” he said. One of the office-bearers of Kerala Private Bus Operators Association said: “Authorities sanctioned permits on same route at the same timing. Add KSRTC buses to this lot. There is a mad rush,” he claimed.
Source: Times Of India
