The Maharashtra state transport department is considering implementing a formal regulatory structure for school bus fares. This initiative involves the Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs) setting a base fare per kilometer for each student. The aim is to put an end to arbitrary fee collections by schools and private transport operators and is part of a broader revision of school bus safety guidelines released in draft form.
According to the draft, schools will be prohibited from demanding lump sum or advance payments for transportation, requiring them instead to charge parents on a monthly basis. School Transport Committees will be established to ensure that the fares comply with the rates approved by the RTAs. An official from the transport department noted, “These measures are anticipated to provide relief to families who have consistently voiced concerns about being asked to pay large sums upfront for an entire term or academic year.”
Parents have long expressed dissatisfaction over high and inconsistent school bus fees, often charged in advance for 12 months, even though services only run for around 10 months. Without a standardized fare structure, monthly fees typically range from Rs 600 to Rs 800 per student, or even higher based on distance and amenities, leading to calls for a clearer pricing system.
The newly proposed School Transport Committees will also be responsible for addressing complaints, conducting regular vehicle inspections, and providing quarterly updates to district safety panels.
This fee regulation initiative is part of a larger revision of safety protocols that was prompted by a troubling incident in Badlapur in 2024, where a young girl was reportedly molested by a school bus driver, highlighting significant concerns regarding student safety during transportation. In response, the School Education Department has mandated that institutions submit comprehensive safety compliance reports.
The draft guidelines, made public on Friday, are open for feedback and suggestions from stakeholders before they are finalized in the near future.
In addition to fare regulations, the draft outlines enhanced safety measures. Existing requirements, such as CCTV cameras, GPS tracking, panic buttons, and fire safety systems, will remain in place. New provisions will include mandatory seatbelts, regular inspections with reports to authorities, and stricter documentation of transport staff, including police and RTO checks.
Buses transporting younger children must have trained attendants, with a requirement for female attendants for primary and pre-primary students. Schools will also need to keep daily records of student boarding and deboarding, along with live vehicle tracking linked to panic buttons.
The draft also stipulates ongoing training for drivers and staff, as well as safety awareness initiatives for parents and students. Once the guidelines are finalized, operators will be given three months to comply, with potential permit suspensions or cancellations for non-compliance.
While parents have largely welcomed the proposed changes, transport operators have expressed concerns. Anil Garg from the School Bus Owners Association questioned the necessity of new regulations, stating, “The state already has a school-bus safety policy. Additionally, various authorities periodically issue guidelines. What is the purpose of creating a new set of guidelines when the existing rules are not effectively enforced?”
Garg also pointed out the lack of enforcement against unregulated transportation services, noting that over 30,000 school vans and rickshaws operate without being subject to safety regulations, despite a blanket prohibition. “Yet, parents continue to rely on those services,” he added, opposing the new fee regulations and the suggested limitation on billing to 10 months.
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