In an effort to address rising concerns over traffic violations and overloading in school transportation, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has initiated strict actions against auto rickshaw drivers. Between April and October of this year, a thorough inspection revealed that over half of the vehicles used for transporting schoolchildren were violating traffic regulations, prompting the RTO to take decisive measures.
During the inspection period, a total of 689 vehicles were scrutinized, with 418 of them penalized for various violations. The majority of penalties were related to unauthorized transportation of schoolchildren, along with instances of vehicles carrying more students than allowed. Collectively, fines totaling Rs 35.7 lakh were imposed on transporters and drivers.
The recent incident of an autorickshaw accident involving school children in Visakhapatnam, captured in a viral video, has intensified concerns among Pune RTO officials. The prevalence of auto rickshaws being used for school transportation in different areas of Pune poses a significant challenge in identifying and addressing all violations.
While auto rickshaws are not permitted by the RTO to transport schoolchildren, they are allowed to carry them as regular passengers, charging meter-based fares. However, residents have expressed distress over witnessing autorickshaws overcrowded with 8-9 students navigating through congested traffic. The lack of measures against these vehicles, despite students clinging onto their seats with bags in hand, has raised alarm.
Auto rickshaw fares are typically determined based on the distance traveled. Presently, the school bus fare for a 3km distance ranges from Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000, and for a 6km distance, it amounts to Rs 3,000. Pune RTO officials, acknowledging the challenges posed during the pandemic, including staff salary payments and higher fuel rates, have announced plans to launch a targeted campaign against autorickshaws involved in transporting schoolchildren.
