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Namaskar,In reference to these illogical demands of the contract bus operatorshttp://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-parents-threaten-moving-court-if-school-bus-operators-go-on-strike_1628299Just a challenge.Will the contract bus operators and drivers sign on a stamp paper and agree to adhere to these simple, constitutional activities, apart from the policies in effect01 Fail safe driving by not only those with five years experience but with care02 Following traffic rules, no breaking signals, no cutting lanes, no double parking, no corner parking, no free parking, paying for the parking on public roads, no going wrong way in one way, no going against traffic, no fitting or using illegal horns, no using mobile phone while in the drivers seat03 Not using school buses, instead any khatara bus body doubles as school bus with the words 'on school bus duty' painted lackadaisically and for formality only, and use only those buses which are genuinely road worthy04 Cleanliness, by not providing for the strictest enforcement by so called bus attendants, bus Mothers, by fitting dust bins and waste containers for discarded packets, etc05 Instead of GPRS system, etc., which bus has got lost in Mumbai, front, rear, and install inside facing cameras as a rule, to record the safe and legal driving by drivers06 Don't stop anywhere and everywhere to not only pick up and drop students, but which obstructs traffic, but have similar stops like for BEST buses, where school buses of all schools and operators must halt for children of that areaJagdeep DESAIArchitect
SecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai SuburbsOn Thu, Nov 24, 2011 at 11:49 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,Now I am angry.And frustrated about to the utter ignorance and negligence of the authorities, school managements, parents, school bus contractors, and the public, not to mention that many of the buses being used are not even registered in Mumbai, MH 01, MH 02, MH 03, but out of City, MH 04, MH 06, MH 43, etcAnd how could the driver possibly see what happens on his blind left side side as he was busy reversing, and the attendant assisting him.
When we were in school, our buses had the attendants, as well as School Bus Mothers, one of the Mothers always came from first stop to last, not to mention that we were fairly self disciplined and didn't jump up and down in the bus, or lean out of the window, or do such other dangerous activities while the bus was moving, both in the private bus, as well as the on hire BEST buses our school used.The latest unfortunate accident, leading to the tragic fatality of a school child shows that not only has the State Transport Commissionerate miserably failed to implement the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles [ Regulations for School Buses ] Rules, 2011, but even more unfortunately, it is flawed in its basic sense, and if that was not enough, what is frankly inexcusable, the operators do not even want to implement this, that they threaten strikesAll it does, it has only the superficial, whereas the basic safety features are totally neglected
It is not as if school buses in the developed nations are absolutely safe, despite the enormous safety checks, balances, features, etc
The first thing is that the windows should be with the fixed lower half, as shown on the photo below, unlike the upper one in the bus in question, and in most buses, and the ones with the horizontal sliding windows are almost the worst, considering that adults would fall out if they leaned just a bit.The fixed lower half will prevent children from leaning out of the window, unless of course the idiots among them stand on the seats.This will also enable fresh air and light to come in without hindrance of grills and jallis and in times of unfortunate accidents, there will be no need to cu the metal to evacuate the victims.The children have to be seated, preferably with seat belts, its no brainer to allow them to jump about, just because they are children, and kids will be kids.And what about those thousands of overloaded autos and Sumos and Omnis and Qualis and so many other private vehicles being used by fly by night contractors, rashly and recklessly driven.
But as is the rules of the road nowadays, the anonymous stereotypical school bus driver is a maniac, a total no brainer.Apart from the common violations, double parking, corner parking, BEST bus stop parking, no seat belts, talking on mobile phone while driving, driving rashly, breaking red lights, there is another totally idiot practise they follow, without any care in the World.Stopping any where, to pick up and drop children, without supervision, the children cross alone, and leave them to fend for themselves.The bus drivers are so idiot that they stop to drop even within twenty metres of the next stop, ie., next building entrance, etc. even in narrow streets, while vehicles pile on behind.They even stop while making turns because the child's maid or parent is waiting in the middle of the road.Then they have words written, how is my driving, for God's sake.Is there no sense of self discipline at least in school bus drivers.What is the use of all kinds of blood group list, route map, female attendant for girl students, GPS, etc., when the drivers are absolutely careless, callous, oblivious o their responsibilities.Then the principals also don''t care because the school buses are out sourced, parents couldn't care less unless God forbid, the worst case scenario, and the authorities dilly dallying the implementation of the policy, and lack of enforcement of traffic rules.The only rules these drivers, like BEST, like cement concrete mixer, like dumper, like MCGM garbage compactor driver, is, they are the rules, they rule the roads.
01 Fail safe driving by not only those with five years experience but with care02 Following traffic rules03 Not using school buses, instead any khatara bus body doubles as school bus with the words 'on school bus duty' painted lackadaisically and for formality only04 Cleanliness, by not providing for the strictest enforcement by so called bus attendants, bus Mothers, by missing dust bins and waste containers for discarded packets, etc05 Instead of GPRS system, etc., which bus has got lost in Mumbai, front, rear, and inside facing cameras as a rule, to record the safe and legal driving by drivers06 Don't stop anywhere and everywhere to pick up and drop students, but have similar stops like for BEST buses, where school buses of all schools and operators must halt for children of that areaJagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs>>>
>>>School Bus Discipline:
Solving the Problem
Is school bus discipline a problem in your school? Two school bus discipline policies available on the Web might serve as effective models.
Isn't school bus duty one of teaching's (or principal-ing's) great joys? By the end of the school day, students are eager to get home -- and school staff are eager to get them out the door!
And once the kids are safely on the bus, they're out of your mind. Right?
Wrong.
Getting kids home -- all the way home -- doesn't end with the final bell of the school day.
Once students are on their buses, they might be out of your control -- but they are still your responsibility. After the bus pulls out of the school parking lot, the bus driver is in command. But, as many educators are well aware, drivers often need the support of school administrators in getting their passengers home safely.
And many school administrators have found that a strong, well-thought-out -- and enforceable -- bus discipline policy is the only way to "travel."
A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUS RIDERS
Robert Ewart, assistant principal at Murray Avenue School in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, was the force behind creating that school's Bus Safety Code, unveiled last March.
"It was the first time that we'd put the behaviors we expect on the school bus in writing," Ewart says. "The policy delineates the expected behaviors, and it delineates the specific consequences of each misbehavior."
"Bus drivers can see a difference, administrators and teachers can see a difference, and the students seem happier because they're more comfortable when riding the bus," adds Murray Avenue School principal Thomas Wittkamp.
Behavior problems on the school buses were the motivation behind the new policy.
"We worked closely with the school bus drivers in developing the policy," Ewart adds. "We considered the incidents that were most frustrating for drivers when we were putting it together."
A "POSITIVE" POLICY
The emphasis of the new school bus discipline policy is on the positive and on safety, Ewart explains. The policy isn't called a bus "discipline" policy, it's called the "bus safety code." And the code is worded in positive terms, with the emphasis on "behaviors we expect," not "misbehaviors." In that sense, the code reflects a school-wide push for positive behaviors and universal values such as responsibility, respect, and citizenship.
Expected bus behavior is broken down into three levels. At each level, the consequences for misbehavior are spelled out in detail. For example:
Level I behaviors include being seated when the bus is moving. Failure to follow that rule will result in one or more consequences, including a warning, an assigned seat on the bus, or a one- to three-day after school detention.Level II behaviors include "Do not hit, punch, or kick" and consequences include one or more of the following: a two- to five-day after school detention, a one- to five-day bus suspension, or a one- to three-day school suspension.
Level III behaviors include the possession or use of matches or lighters and consequences include a five-day or longer bus suspension, a three- to ten-day school suspension, expulsion from school, or contact with police or district justice.
All misbehaviors include parental notification.
"Knowing what is expected, and knowing the consequences of school bus misbehavior, is essential to the success of any bus safety code," says Ewart. "It makes my job easier too."
THREE! THREE CODES IN ONE!
This year, each student at Murray Avenue School received a handbook that includes three school codes -- the bus safety code, a computer conduct code, and the school's new discipline code (introduced this year and modeled after the bus safety code). All kids were introduced to the codes and were asked to sign a "contract" that indicates they'd read and understood them.
Then, on Parent's Night, parents were given the students' handbooks. Then parents took the handbooks home with them for reference. Should the handbook be misplaced, the contents of the school's Bus Safety Code can be found on the Murray Avenue School Web page, along with the other elements of the school's Code of Conduct.
"This is a team effort," Ewart adds. "Parent involvement and support are very important."
Has the code been used?
"We've had to use the code a number of times, especially for Level 1 offenses," Ewart says. "But the number of problems on school buses is way down. And so far this year we've had zero problems."
"Since the bus safety code went into effect last March we haven't had to suspend anyone's bus riding privileges," he adds.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR 37,000 BUS RIDERS?Half a country away, in Anoka, Minnesota, Chuck Holden watches over the safety of 37,000 students each day. Holden is Transportation Director for Anoka-Hennepin District No. 11, a school district that includes 13 municipalities spread over 176 square miles!
The district's School Bus Discipline Policy, which has been in effect since 1987, has attracted lots of attention as a model policy. The policy highlights Class I and Class II offenses, each with its own consequences.
"The policy has helped everyone involved -- students, parents, drivers, teachers, and school administrators," says Holden.
"Before 1987," Holden says, "the school bus policy was a little vague. We were experiencing problems because discipline problems on school buses were being handled inconsistently. The policy has greatly reduced the inconsistencies."
"But discipline problems on the buses will never go away entirely," he adds.
In 1994, the state of Minnesota mandated bus safety education. All parents in the Anoka-Hennepin district must sign and return a note to their child's classroom teacher saying that they went over the bus safety rules with their child, Holden explains.
"We don't have parents calling to complain anymore," he adds.
And overall discipline has improved.
"We've seen a drop in the number of discipline problems," says Holden. "But with 37,000 kids riding our buses each day we still hand out several hundred one- to three-day suspensions each year. A suspension will usually resolve the problem. Each year we handle just a few of the most serious offenses."
Officials meet monthly to review issues of bus discipline and bus safety, Holden adds. And a yearly meeting is set aside for the purpose of reviewing the discipline policy. In addition, drivers participate in special in-service programs focused on handling situations that require discipline.
"That has helped more than just having the policy," says Holden.
"Let's not forget that riding the bus is a privilege, not a right," he adds. And the district's policy helps to "drive home" that point to 37,000 students and their parents.
- Find a handful of activities for teaching about bus safety in Follow the Rules, Get Safely to School.
>>>>>>Follow the Rules, Ride the Bus Safely to School
Bus safety isn't a one-week topic. It's a year-round subject that connects to many curriculum areas.
More than 22 million U.S. students ride school buses daily, according to officials of the National Safe Kids Campaign. Each year, approximately 390,000 public school buses travel about 4.2 billion miles.
Although school buses are one of the safest ways to travel to and from school, injuries do occur. Sadly, most of those children are struck by their own school buses.
In addition, many more children are injured while in a school bus or while getting on or off school buses. Many injuries happen when children are boarding or exiting because a blind spot extends approximately 10 feet in front of the bus, obstructing the view of the driver. Children are not aware of this blind spot and might mistakenly believe that if they can see the bus, the bus can "see" them.
School bus safety is serious business -- because even one bus-related death is too many. Qualified and well-trained drivers are the main defense against school bus fatalities. That, and children who know the rules -- and obey them.
School bus rules should be introduced to children early in the school year -- not just duringNational School Bus Safety Week in October. And the bus safety rules should be reviewed often.
Following are a few activities that you might use this month with your students to build awareness of the rules and responsibilities of safe bus riding.
Bus safety rules. Invite students to visit a couple Web sites to compile a list of bus safety rules. Among the sites students might visit are:
- Safety Rules Safety rules from Robin Padgett, aka "Busmom," who for 14 years has been driving a school bus for Lynchburg (Virginia) Schools.
Invite each student to select a rule and to make poster to promote that safety rule. Display the posters in the school hallway or busroom.
>>>On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 3:19 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,
On the face of it, school buses by definition would mean the buses would be safe for the children, and the drivers would drive safely and following all rules, irrespective of the as yet draft, long over due, school bus policy of the state notwithstanding.But as is the rules of the road nowadays, the anonymous stereotypical school bus driver is a maniac, a total no brainer.Apart from the common violations, double parking, corner parking, BEST bus stop parking, no seat belts, talking on mobile phone while driving, driving rashly, breaking red lights, there is another totally idiot practise they follow, without any care in the World.Stopping any where, to pick up and drop children, without supervision, the children cross alone, and leave them to fend for themselves.The bus drivers are so idiot that they stop to drop even within twenty metres of the next stop, ie., next building entrance, etc. even in narrow streets, while vehicles pile on behind.They even stop while making turns because the child's maid or parent is waiting in the middle of the road.Then they have words written, how is my driving, for God's sake.Is there no sense of self discipline at least in school bus drivers.What is the use of all kinds of blood group list, route map, female attendant for girl students, GPS, etc., when the drivers are absolutely careless, callous, oblivious o their responsibilities.Then the principals also don''t care because the school buses are out sourced, parents couldn't care less unless God forbid, the worst case scenario, and the authorities dilly dallying the implementation of the policy, and lack of enforcement of traffic rules.The only rules these drivers, like BEST, like cement concrete mixer, like dumper, like MCGM garbage compactor driver, is, they are the rules, they rule the roads.Jagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs>>>On Tue, Oct 19, 2010 at 12:04 AM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:Hello all,
This report yet again confirms the view that there is going to be endless delays for any kind of school bus regulationsEven then, the main and crucial point of adhering to, and following traffic rules, is not mentioned even once in the policy.Apart from the fact that it is understood, the drivers and operators don't particularly bother about them, so they have to be directed, from the first line itself.Whatever is reported of the model school bus guidelines, is more or less software based, instead of focussing on the drivers driving safely and to the traffic rules.See any self respecting driver of a school bus or contract bus masquerading as a school bus, and any self respecting law abiding Citizen will hang his head in shame that in today's day and age, these fellows are driving like somewhere in lawless lands of India.What message are we giving the children, that it is alright to break any and all rules so long as the bus gets us to the school or home on time, no matter if the kid is late, and the driver blows his illegal musical, pressure, multi tone, air horn to call him, or that he stops anywhere to pick up, no matter if it blocks traffic, or he parks anywhere, no matter its double, or corner, or wrong way, etc.Live and Learn.See the emails below, it doesn't appear the authorities, nor schools, nor parents, are interested.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAISecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
>>>
Govt sits on school bus policy
Delays Resolution That Would Make Clutch Of Safety Measures Mandatory
Anahita Mukherji TNN
Mumbai: When it comes to implementing a school bus policy for Maharashtra, the state government's attitude is akin to a footballer who finds the goalpost clear but does not kick the ball in. Almost a decade after a model school bus system was designed, the government is yet to implement its own policy. It's only after a particularly horrific accident involving school children occurs that the government springs into action.
Two years ago, after a group of kindergarteners died when a Maruti Omni exploded while ferrying them home from school, the government appointed a committee to draft a school bus policy for the state.
The committee gave its policy recommendations earlier this year, which were accepted by the cabinet. Now all that the administration needs to do is issue a government resolution (GR) so that the policy can be implemented. The GR, which was to be issued earlier this month, has yet again been delayed. The state says it wants to issue the GR in January 2011 after considering public opinion.
"There is absolutely no need for the delay. We have already taken public opinion into account while drafting the policy. We held meetings with the public in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur to gauge what people wanted," said transport expert Indrani Malkani, a member of the state-appointed committee.
The committee's report details how to implement the school bus project. For starters, it makes school principals responsible for the transportation system. While children cannot use private transport to school, they are free to walk to school or use public transport. The benefits of the system are two-fold: it decongests the roads, and provides a safe, secure and efficient mode of transport for schoolchildren.
In 2002, Malkani—along with Mira Isaacs, principal of Cathedral & John Connon School, and Himanshu Roy, then DCP traffic—drafted a school bus system for Cathedral. The system, which ensured that all children came to school by bus, was a huge success. Besides creating strict safety guidelines for the system, an efficient route was charted out using a computer software which ensured that children spent the shortest possible time travelling to school.
Over the last eight years, several city schools have adopted Cathedral's system. In fact, the government-appointed committee to draft a school bus policy was set up to implement a system along the same lines. Now that it's ready, all that the government needs to do is to issue a GR.
Transport minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who has been instrumental in speeding up the process of devising a policy on the issue, says the delay is because of certain legal hassles that the government is trying to overcome. Once the policy is passed, he said, nobody should challenge it in court.
But Malkani feels that all legal issues have been addressed in the contract that the policy suggests between schools and bus contractors. The system was first implemented in Cathedral in 2002. If there were legal issues, Malkani says, they would have been brought up by now.
Frustrated with the delay in the implementation of the policy, many involved in the system are afraid that it will take another gruesome school bus accident to force the government to kick the ball into the goalpost.
SAFE JOURNEY
No student will be allowed to come to school in any vehicle other than the school bus. The only exception is for students who walk to school or use public transport
Every school shall have a transport committee to look into the safe transportation of children, transportation fees, identification of bus stops and vehicle fitness
The school principal shall be responsible for the children's ride to and from the school
Bus drivers will have to submit annual medical certificates to the school
Children will have to be insured by their parents and school bus owners shall obtain third party insurance for every vehicle
The transport contractor shall employ attendants; the bus staff is not permitted to play music on the vehicle
Every school bus shall carry information on every student, including the child's blood group and contact numbers
Route numbers must be clearly displayed on the bus
No food or drinks shall be offered to the children on the bus by the staff unless it is provided by the school
Bus doors must be closed while the vehicle is in motion
Penalties will be levied if the rules are broken
>>>
On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 12:08 AM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,
Here are some suggestions by Dr. Leo REBELLO to make school buses safer for the students and the public, see below.Apart from the fact that the authorities have shown that there is hardly any interest in actually implementing the so called model school bus policy, it has already been delayed any number of times, and from what can be read, its going to be continuously postponed, and unlikely to be enforced.With the result, it is a bad joke on the public, not to mention the hapless students.The drivers continue to drive rashly, dangerously, totally violating all traffic rules, benignly overlooked by the operators and authorities.See the attached picture, school bus with wide open windows, the student can fall out anytime.But what does this matter with the
01 Parents02 Schools03 Transport Commissionerate
04 MTP05 \School bus contractors06 Members of the Model School Bus Committee, who do not see or experience the day to day antics of the bus drivers and operators
There is this school at Juhu, as an example, though it happens everywhereBut anyone who has been on both North and South bound roads at Juhu opposite Plam Gorve Hotel during school ending times during the day, will know how the bus drivers, car drivers of tgis school, have taken over the road.The example of Podar school monopolising the Santa Cruz roads, Sai Ganesh, Tour India, Aroon Travels, SBS, and all others use strong arm tactics, having made syndicates and cartels, have no use for any traffic rules, leave alone model code.If the MTP, and RTA can't enforce such simple and basic rules and guidelines for school buses, then, we have simply lost it, since children will be brought up from a young age that they can break any and every rule, and follow these01 Rules are meant to be broken02 Rules are meant for those who follow them03 There should be no rulesThanqx.Jagdeep DESAISecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs>>>>>>New school bus policy delayedFirst Published: 00:43 IST(28/9/2010)
Last Updated: 00:44 IST(28/9/2010)
"The new school bus policy would be ready for implementation by January 2011 and would be implemented in the next school term in June," said Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, state transport minister.
A detailed set of guidelines is already ready with the transport department and the only thing that is pending is an
approval from the state government."We would be issuing a government resolution (GR) in the coming days for implementing the new school bus policy,"
said C Sangitrao, transport secretary.Once the new policy gets implemented, all circulars and notices distributed by the schools to its students and parents regarding the school buses would be overridden.
The policy lays down few points like school students cannot be ferried in private vehicles like Sumo, Qualis, or Omni in groups.
Also vehicles used for commercial purposes can't be used to ferry students, as it then becomes a business. Even autorickshaws can carry only 5 children at a time.
>>>Norms to minimise misuse of beacon cars (HT 24 Sept. 10) is a good step.Likewise, there should be norms for school buses.1.. Absolutely no shrill horns in school buses.2.. Engine should not make noise and emit noxious gases.3.. Buses should not blow horn to call students who are late.That leads to noise pollution as also indiscipline amongstudents and parents.4.. There should be limited school bus stops. School busesstopping at every 10 feet to pick up students, leads to pollution.5.. School buses stopping at a road junction to pick up anddrop students is a safety hazard and should be penalised.6.. Commuting time should be reduced so that small studentsdo not get tired.7.. There should be no overloading.8.. There should be fire extinguisher and safety box ineach school bus.9.. The school bus drivers and conductors should receiveFirst Aid training.Dr. Leo RebelloDirector, Natural Health Centre, BombayTel. 28872741On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 7:10 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,In reference to the much publicised model school bus guidelines, etc.Has any follow up check bee done on how the same is being implemented, if at all, by schools and school buses.From what I have seen on a daily and hourly basis, not a single school bus driver worth his salt, follows traffic rules, on duty, or off duty.What I wrote just a couple of months ago before the school year started, is coming true, and absolutely valid.There are the Maruti Suzuki Omnis, Tata Sumos, Toyota Qualis, private and public autos , etc., which overload their vehicles, and go about ferrying school children in the most dangerous manner.Its God's Grace no accidents have taken place, remember the explosion to the Maruti Suzuki Omni sometime ago.School bus drivers are most casual, careless, couldn't care less about traffic rules.Schools couldn't careless either, unless something untoward happens.Roads are blocked by double parked school buses, parents and drivers want to give door to door delivery and pick up, and some areas are totally out of control in peak hours, like near fancy play schools where the luxury sedans and the Memsaabs bring their precocious, sorry, precious, little ones to play for few hours, wasting peoples time in the traffic while the interface takes place.Same stories everywhere, on main roads, on side roads.
Authorities couldn't careless either, since nothing untoward happens.There is no compliance, absolutely no enforcement.The mind numbs when we see school children being driven by rash and brash drivers, totally flouting rules, the children will learn that it is absolutely okay to break all traffic rules, and the bus has 'how is my driving' written behind it.Good joke by the contract bus operators.
Its alright to have it on paper, its another thing to see no nonsense implementation, zero tolerance to traffic offenses.
Our values are going, going, gone.Anyway, life goes on.Jagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs+91 98 6922 7148>>>On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 12:00 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,It is really unfortunate that the policy document remains mostly on paper, because no one bothers to check the actual position on road.There is total free for all even after all the new guidelines, policies, what to say about existing traffic rules.
In the Western and Eastern Suburbs, school bus contractors and drivers are anyway not bothered to follow traffic rules and laws, what to mention model school bus service policy.And the directive that no private vehicle within two hundred metes of the school to drop or pick up children is truly unimplementable.Come to any school, say in Khar, Santa Cruz, anywhere, and see the fun, sorry, chaos and time pass, sorry time waste.There is just no compliance, no enforcement, any one wants to see, I will take them for a free tour
01 Buses are not road worthy, rattle, squeek, have rusted and sharp metal parts, seats are in ramshackle condition, dark, dingy, dirty
02 Drivers are observed talking on mobile while driving, not in uniform, many times in banian, chewing pan and generally at peace with themselves03 Stop and park anywhere, including no parking areas, corners, wrong way, BEST bus stops, double parking, occupying lengths and lengths of main roads in middle of traffic04 Still using illegal horns freely, even in silence zones, in residential areas
05 Not yellow06 No contact numbers of school or operator or authorityEtc.In any case, the models school bus service policy focusses on software rather than01 Fail safe driving by not only those with five years experience but with care02 Following traffic rules03 Not using school buses, instead any khatara bus body doubles as school bus with the words 'on school bus duty' painted lackadaisically and for formality only04 Cleanliness, by not providing for the strictest enforcement by so called bus attendants, bus Mothers, by missing dust bins and waste containers for discarded packets, etc05 Instead of GPRS system, etc., which bus has got lost in Mumbai, front, rear, and inside facing cameras as a rule, to record the safe and legal driving by drivers06 Don't stop anywhere and everywhere to pick up and drop students, but have similar stops like for BEST buses, where school buses of all schools and operators must halt for children of that areaEtc.As a user in my school days, and then observer since then, I still feel the main focus should be on safe and to rule driving, not only speed limit.Everything else is just for feel good factors.
Why isn't BEST introducing dedicated school bus for children like Women's Special, on long routes in the general school hours.Many children will utilise it if they are with the concession rates.
Thanqx.Jagdeep>>>On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:27 PM, A.V.Shenoy <shenoyav@gmail.com> wrote:Dear IndraniGood to know that your tireless efforts have finally resulted in framing of Rules and Regulations 2010 ....In case you need any help in implementing the same at specific schools e.g. Queen Mary School you may call on me. I am sure others would also be willing to help in this cause which would save lives of many children.ShenoyFrom: Indrani MalkaniSent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 8:06 PMTo: ajit shenoy ; sujitjp@gmail.com ; nandan.maluste@gmail.com ; sulakshana.mahajan@gmail.com ; rajendra_media@yahoo.com ; neerapunj@hotmail.com ; rajshri mehta ; leena prabhu ; concastindia@vsnl.com ; kisansbc@gmail.com ; cmb123@rediffmail.com ; waman.danait@gmail.com ; v.k. phatak ; ashok datar ; Jagdeep DESAI ; jeetu21@gmail.comSubject: RE: Govt scripts norms for safety on school buses - DNAG'evening Ajit,
Yes the Rules and Regulations 2010..... is applicable to any bus used for the purpose of busing school children.
The media reports on Saturday in all the dailies have ovbiously not reported the entire Policy points. Once it is officially declared it will be a public document.
By the way, a whole set of documentation is also in place for the schools as to how they should implement the Service and is part of the Policy as well.
Needless to say and repeat, the entire Service/Policy is based on the successful Model School Bus Service and I have been part of all deliberations, being a member of the Government Committee to frame the Policy and also interacting with the Transport Minister, who has taken a great interest in the whole matter.
Afterall, the Model School Bus Service has been a great success...eight years running!!
Sometimes, as I read mails from various transport activists giving their suggestions on the subject, I do wonder at some of them, as to why they have NEVER acknowledged in their mails the existence of this successful Model which has been and is still being implemented in Mumbai even whilst the Policy was being drafted, and now ofcourse to be officially declared.
The first school in the western suburbs, Bai Avabai Petit Girls High School is flagging off the Bus Service tomorrow the 7th of June and in the city, Campion School is flagging off the Bus Service on Wednesday the 9th of June. I have put the Service together for both the schools at their invitation.
Thanks for keeping in touch,
Best wishes
Indrani Malkani
From: shenoyav@gmail.com
To: sujitjp@gmail.com; nandan.maluste@gmail.com; sulakshana.mahajan@gmail.com; rajendra_media@yahoo.com; neerapunj@hotmail.com; rajshrimehta@yahoo.com; write2god@yahoo.com; concastindia@vsnl.com; kisansbc@gmail.com; shenoyav@gmail.com; cmb123@rediffmail.com; waman.danait@gmail.com; vphatak@vsnl.net; datar.ashok@gmail.com; jagdeep.desai@gmail.com; jeetu21@gmail.com; indranimalkani@hotmail.com
Subject: Govt scripts norms for safety on school buses - DNA
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 08:44:13 +0530
Will this also apply to BEST buses being used exclusively as school buses?
Shenoy
Govt scripts norms for safety on school buses
Surendra Gangan / DNASaturday, June 5, 2010 1:47 ISTMumbai: Safety of schoolchildren is of paramount concern to the state government.
The draft also lays down norms, including the lifespan, for vehicles used to ferry schoolchildren.The school bus draft policy, framed by the state transport department, is expected to be approved in the next cabinet meeting and puts the onus of students' safety on school principals.
"The committee headed by principals and comprising parents, PTA members and teachers will be set up at the school level to ensure that the norms are followed by the contractor. In case of any eventuality or violation of rules, the principal will be held responsible," chief minister Ashok Chavan said on Friday.
Chavan reviewed the policy framed by the transport department on Friday.
The norms state school buses will be given special permits and must be yellow in colour. The driver should have at least five years of experience and an attendant must be present on the bus always.
The contractor must have a list of the students travelling in the vehicle along with their blood groups and ensure only the prescribed number of students travel in the vehicle.
The speed limit of the buses will be restricted to 50kmph with the help of an in-built mechanism. "Safety doors and sufficient moving space are other requirements in the draft," an official said.
The policy also talks about restricting the lifespan of the buses to eight years. However, the contractors and operators oppose the move and want the duration increased to 15 years.
"They (the contractors) claimed that since the buses are not allowed to be used for any other purpose, it won't be feasible to discard them in eight years," the official said.
Vehicles, other than buses, need to obtain special permit to ferry students. "But autorickshaws are totally banned from ferrying schoolchildren. In the metropolis, they will have to phased out in a year, while in smaller cities, the period is two years. Autos in rural areas can be phased out in three years," transport minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said.
He added bus contractors and operators will be given special concessions such as rebate in taxes to encourage schools to have their own buses.
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