Is MSRTC’s protocol for drivers good enough?

Senior officials at the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) maintain that incidents of road rage such as the one in Pune on Wednesday are very rare and have “never been witnessed in the corporation’s past.”

In the first year of a driver joining the MSRTC, his performance is tracked closely and necessary guidance provided. In the second year, periodic counselling and training is given. “Bus drivers shoulder a huge responsibility and are sensitised about this in their first two years until they are groomed enough,” said a senior MSRTC official.

Also, separate training schedules are used for drivers with accident records. If the accident is not major, the driver must attend a week-long course. In case of fatal accidents, the driver is temporarily not allowed from plying buses, whether or not he is at fault. This is followed by a long course, sometimes running into weeks, in which necessary precautions, safe driving practices, stress management and other methods to improve his mental health are taught.

‘’The depot manager keeps a regular track of driving performance, especially of those vulnerable to frequent accidents,” an official said.

Drivers with no accident records also undergo refresher courses at MSRTC training schools, which exist in all 30 districts of the state.