Madhya Pradesh: More than 10,000 buses, i.e. almost 40 percent buses need extensive repairs and maintenance, as they have been stationary for almost two years now. In such a condition, parents might be required to drop and pick up their children from school premises.
More than 10,000 buses, i.e. almost 40 percent buses need extensive repairs and maintenance, as they have been stationary for almost two years now. In such a condition, parents might be required to drop and pick up their children from school premises.
The possibility and feasibility of plying buses by schools and bus associations is still to be considered.
Madhya Pradesh government has issued instructions to open schools for class 6th to class 12th with 50% capacity on all days from September 1.
Following the announcement, private schools are considering various requirements for re-opening the schools and ensuring safety of students.
School operators have started their preparations, but the biggest problem that is troublesome for them as well as parents will be transportation.
About 25,000 school buses operate in the state. They are used to specifically for transport children. Out of these, more than 10,000 buses are not in working condition. Barely 15,000 buses can be plied after basic maintenance and repairs.
From September 1, if schools decide to re-open, there is a chance that parents will be required to pick up and drop the kids to school.
Covid-19 norms for buses
According to the instructions of the government, to follow social distancing in school buses, children can be accommodated in buses only with 50% capacity.
If buses are to be operated, then about 25 thousand buses will be required. The reality is that 40% of the buses i.e. more than 10 thousand buses are not in working condition.
They are either damaged or have been frozen as asset by the bank due to non-payment of finance instalment.
Pay more for bus or bear traffic in personal drop-offs?
Further, the cost of plying more buses with fewer students is likely to change bus charges. Are parents willing to pay higher bus fee? Or will we find streets swamped with parents in morning and afternoons for picking and dropping off children?
If parents take bus, van, taxi or auto for transport, they are likely to pay the full fare. Half the capacity may lead to further increase in fares.
If parents do not take transportation and go to take the children on their own, then it might be a hassle for working parents. Further, large number of private cars and two-wheelers dropping off kids in morning means more traffic.
The biggest problem in the operation of buses
Buses have been parked in the garage for almost two years. Being stationary and not maintained as usual, buses are not working condition.
Bus operator Nitin Singh said, “Till now, we have not received any instruction from school operators or the government. In such a situation, the maintenance work of the buses will be done only after getting the instructions.”
The dispute on fitness etc. in RTO also continues. With this, increased cost of maintenance and increase in diesel rate in 2 years, bus fee will be hiked.
“This will be excess burden on parents, who are already trying to recover from tipsy economic conditions,” Chanchal Gupta, a legal activist heading parent association, said.
Further, schools will be operating at half the capacity. This means that a student will attend school for only 3 days a week.
How will the fare be charged in such a situation is another matter of concern for school and bus operators!
School education department to take final calls
Even though state government has announcement re-opening of schools, the entire procedure and SOP for schools is still to be finalised. Schools are hoping that in the upcoming meeting, the department will consider all other operational issues including transport.
The possibility and feasibility of plying buses by schools and bus associations is still to be considered.
Madhya Pradesh government has issued instructions to open schools for class 6th to class 12th with 50% capacity on all days from September 1.
Following the announcement, private schools are considering various requirements for re-opening the schools and ensuring safety of students.
School operators have started their preparations, but the biggest problem that is troublesome for them as well as parents will be transportation.
About 25,000 school buses operate in the state. They are used to specifically for transport children. Out of these, more than 10,000 buses are not in working condition. Barely 15,000 buses can be plied after basic maintenance and repairs.
From September 1, if schools decide to re-open, there is a chance that parents will be required to pick up and drop the kids to school.
Covid-19 norms for buses
According to the instructions of the government, to follow social distancing in school buses, children can be accommodated in buses only with 50% capacity.
If buses are to be operated, then about 25 thousand buses will be required. The reality is that 40% of the buses i.e. more than 10 thousand buses are not in working condition.
They are either damaged or have been frozen as asset by the bank due to non-payment of finance instalment.
Pay more for bus or bear traffic in personal drop-offs?
Further, the cost of plying more buses with fewer students is likely to change bus charges. Are parents willing to pay higher bus fee? Or will we find streets swamped with parents in morning and afternoons for picking and dropping off children?
If parents take bus, van, taxi or auto for transport, they are likely to pay the full fare. Half the capacity may lead to further increase in fares.
If parents do not take transportation and go to take the children on their own, then it might be a hassle for working parents. Further, large number of private cars and two-wheelers dropping off kids in morning means more traffic.
The biggest problem in the operation of buses
Buses have been parked in the garage for almost two years. Being stationary and not maintained as usual, buses are not working condition.
Bus operator Nitin Singh said, “Till now, we have not received any instruction from school operators or the government. In such a situation, the maintenance work of the buses will be done only after getting the instructions.”
The dispute on fitness etc. in RTO also continues. With this, increased cost of maintenance and increase in diesel rate in 2 years, bus fee will be hiked.
“This will be excess burden on parents, who are already trying to recover from tipsy economic conditions,” Chanchal Gupta, a legal activist heading parent association, said.
Further, schools will be operating at half the capacity. This means that a student will attend school for only 3 days a week.
How will the fare be charged in such a situation is another matter of concern for school and bus operators!
School education department to take final calls
Even though state government has announcement re-opening of schools, the entire procedure and SOP for schools is still to be finalised. Schools are hoping that in the upcoming meeting, the department will consider all other operational issues including transport.
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