Frequent accidents involving Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses that ply in long-distance routes have once again put attention on the tight schedule of bus trips.
Enchakkal bus depot that started a long-distance bus service six months ago has had three major accidents till date, the recent one being at Thrissur on February 24. The bus that starts at 8 pm from Thiruvananthapuram reaches Kozhokode at 6.30 am, and there is only a three-and-a-half break before the return trip begins thus putting an alarming strain on drivers. Similar services are run in routes such as Erumeli-Chandanakampara, Ernakulam-Madurai and Pathanamthitta-Wayanad which are more than 10-hour long journeys. Such services, which are run by the KSRTC without giving adequate rest to drivers, are putting the life of passengers at risk.
Many of the long-distance multi-axle buses run by the KSRTC to Bangalore are driven by a single driver who also has to drive during the return trip the next day. In one instance, when a driver took a 30 minutes break for a quick nap with the passengers’ permission, he was suspended by the KSRTC and a notice was pasted across depots to serve as a deterrent, said V V Haridas of the Kerala State Road Transport Employees Welfare Association. The practice of allowing or forcing drivers to undertake non-stop driving is in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. On November 24, 2015, the Transport Commissioner issued a circular to penalise large vehicles that run long distances with only one driver. It was issued on the basis of a series of night accidents involving fatigued drivers. However, the circular has largely remained on paper or excluded the KSRTC. To ease drivers’ burden during long drives, a High Court order directed the KSRTC to appoint a driver-cum-conductor. But, the state carrier has not implemented it owing to pressure from the conductor’s union, said Haridas. While trade unions blame the management for tight schedules, the management in turn blames the practice among bus drivers to work continuously to accumulate off-days as the major cause for accidents.
The bus that starts at 8 pm from Thiruvananthapuram reaches Kozhokode at 6.30 am, and there is only a three-and-a-half break before the return trip begins thus putting an alarming strain on drivers
The practice of allowing or forcing drivers to undertake non-stop driving is in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. On November 24, 2015, a circular to penalise large vehicles that run long distances with only one driver was issued.
News : The News Indian Express
