Comment

The trend of squeezing children in school transport vehicles and ferrying them in dangerous conditions continues unabated in Pune. Citizens feel that the government should implement strict rules and schools should step up to ensure safety of children. Citizens share their concern with Speak Up.

Parents too prefer autorickshaws or tempos as they are relatively cheap
I have come across many instances wherein I had to stop a vehicle as it was overcrowded with children and a bag or water bottle had fallen on the road. The government has to take necessary steps to ensure safety of children. I am not against light vehicles ferrying schoolchildren, provided there is a limit to the number of children being carried in it. Most of the times, drivers squeeze more and more children in the vehicle, which puts the lives of children in peril. Parents too prefer autorickshaws or tempos as they are relatively cheaper. But the government has to limit the number of schoolchildren travelling in the vehicles, and see that the norms are effectively implemented and executed.

—Lily Patel, principal, Sardar Dastur Hoshang Boys’ High School

An attendant should be there in the vehicle to safeguard the children
In order to avoid accidents, schools have to take complete responsibility of children. If schools make it mandatory for the students to be accompanied by parents or use only school transport, then the issue can be resolved. Parents often send their children to schools in overcrowded vehicles and don’t realise the consequences until an unfortunate incident happens. The schools have to be specific on the kind of vehicles a student should use to commute. Parents won’t mind shelling extra money if the schools come up with proper norms. Apart from this, schools should ensure the presence of an attendant in the vehicle to safeguard the children. The schools must form a separate panel that involves authorities as well as parents which can keep a check on various issues related to the school transport vehicles.

—Savita Rao, parent

Drivers who ferry children to schools should be well paid, not overworked
There are certain flaws in the infrastructure which result in unfortunate incidents. I feel children should be admitted to those schools which are closer to their homes.
Moreover, the school timings should be scheduled in such a way that rush hours can be avoided. It is also important to have proper bicycling tracks so that students can safely ride to schools.
Also, drivers who ferry children to schools should be well paid and not overworked. This will ensure them to drive more responsibly. It is also important to ensure that the bus routes are not too long. The schools should hold regular meetings with parents and authorities to discuss issues related to safety of children.

—John Samson, parent

The number of children travelling to school by autorickshaws is high
It is unfortunate that children are not safe while commuting to the schools. I feel that the drivers are not interested in taking care of the children.
The government should take a firm stand and see that proper rules are implemented to safeguard the children. The number of children travelling to school by autorickshaws is abnormally high. And to my surprise, even parents seem to be careless and send their children in these overcrowded vehicles. Parents need to understand that though autorickshaws or tempos charge less, the safety issue remains a big question mark.

—Mangesh Tendulkar, traffic activist

Promote school buses as preferred mode of transport rather than autos or tempos
Accidents involving students is one of the most alarming issues that have impacted the city in recent times. Vehicles are found to be overcrowded with schoolchildren, which put the lives of young ones in danger.

However, one particular department cannot be blamed for the lack of safety of schoolchildren. The need of the hour is better coordination between the school authorities, parents, RTO, transport authorities and the police in order to tackle this issue. Of late, we have held various meetings with the school authorities to implement the school bus policy.

Also, it is important to promote school buses as the preferred mode of transport to schools as they are safe compared toautorickshaws or tempos. There are various private companies that manufacture buses especially designed to ferry students, which should be used to ensure safety of children.

—Vishwas Pandhare, DCP (Traffic)