The growing number of accidents involving Kerala State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) buses that cater to a large section of the general public is a stark pointer to the abject failure of the regulatory and management practices followed by the public transporter. And the number of drivers fined for over speeding and red light jumping sheds light on the grave risks faced by the commuters.

Despite the use of mandatory speed governors in KSRTC buses, since last year the Regional Transport Office (Nationalised Sector) here, alone had registered around 1,600 cases relating to such offences.A fine of `400 is slapped in overspeeding cases while it is  `1,000 for red light jumping. The total amount charged as fine  for the entire fleet comes to `35 lakh.

“There are drivers with at  least 25 cases registered against them for over speeding. It happens due to faulty  speed governors purchased and the unscientific time schedule,” said V V Haridas of KSRTC Welfare Association.  KSRTC has made it a point to get the errant drivers to pay the fine themselves so that it will serve as a deterrent. “Over speeding takes place because the drivers disable the speed governors by severing the connection cable. The fine will be deducted from their salaries,” said Antony Chacko, KSRTC chairman and managing director.

However, Haridas rubbished the claim made by the management. “There are over 1,000 officials in KSRTC to check if the speed governors have been tampered with. But so far nobody has reported any such incidents. Unfortunately even the MVD does not conduct proper fitness tests,” he said.  Lijo Kappan of Public Transport Protection Council said forcing drivers to work in multiple shifts coupled with sleep deprivation and fatigue were the major reasons for the mishaps involving KSRTC buses.

As per schedule, a bus from Thiruvananthapuram has to reach Ernakulam within five hours and 30 minutes. “En route there are 12 bus stations and 115 stops. This means that right from the time that we set off from the bus station we will have to consistently drive at 60 kmph,” said Haridas. The Association has filed a case in the High Court against the unscientific time schedule that puts pressure on drivers resulting in over speeding.

SOURCEThe New Indian Express
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