Pune: RTO Penalizes 200 School Transport Vehicles for Flouting Norms

The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has launched a special drive against unauthorised school buses, vans, and autos for violating rules set by the state transport department.

As part of this initiative, special squads formed by the RTO have inspected over 500 school transport vehicles in the past six months and taken action against at least 200 vehicles found non-compliant with the norms.

According to information shared by the Pune RTO, between January 1 and June 30, 2024, a total of 224 school vans were checked, out of which 100 were found to be violating the norms. Similarly, out of 318 school buses inspected during the same period, 100 were found flouting the rules.

Archana Gaikwad, the Pune Regional Transport Officer, emphasized the importance of this drive, especially as schools have reopened since June. “As schools have started from the month of June, there is a rush of these school transport vehicles all around the city since early morning till evening as per school timings. Many a time, however, it is seen that these school vans, autos, and buses do not follow rules and safety measures set by the state transport department. Hence, we are conducting this drive and our appeal to parents is to be aware of the vehicles that are transporting their children to and from school.”

RTO inspectors have been instructed to check various safety measures of these school transport vehicles, including window bars, footsteps, seating arrangements, and first-aid boxes. Additionally, they have been tasked with verifying the vehicles’ documents, fitness certificates, and whether there is a mutual agreement between the school and the school transport vehicle operator.