Cops take lessons in decongestion

MUMBAI: Mumbai traffic cops will soon convene a meeting of top school administrators to showcase a model school bus service. A brainchild of activist Indrani Malkani, the service has reduced traffic outside Cathedral & John Connon School in Fort to a large extent.

The use of the school bus service by 94 per cent students of the school has taken 716 cars off the school’s street during peak traffic hours. Buses, 52 in all, converge on the three roads where the junior, middle and senior sections of the school are situated. “We would like all schools to adopt this model for reducing traffic and vehicular pollution considerably,” said S S Solunke, DCP (Traffic), South.

The GPRS-enabled buses offer a safe, secure and efficient service - with safety rods on windows, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency exit and lower footboard. No standee is allowed. A lady attendant will be in the RTO-compliant buses. This, while drivers are continuously updated on technology. “The entire logistics is software-based. The school is a facilitator with a bus administrator, who monitors its movements, while the parent-teacher body empowers it,” explained Malkani.

“The Malkani model was worth a try,” said Meera Isaacs, principal, Cathedral school.
With Bombay International school (Babulnath) and Bombay Scottish (Mahim) too adopting the model, Malkani is flooded with calls from schools in the suburbs. “It would be tough to implement the service unless  traffic cops are involved to ensure that parents stick to the rules. For example, Bombay Scottish has adopted the model, but made exceptions,” said Malkani.