The Maharashtra government has introduced a new school bus policy. It aims to improve transparency, affordability, and student safety in school transportation. This policy will come into effect in the upcoming academic year. The move addresses growing concerns from parents.
They’ve raised issues about unfair pricing and poor safety in school transport services across the state.
Special Committee Formed to Draft Regulations
To ensure clear and structured guidelines, a special committee has been formed.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the decision.
The committee will be led by retired transport officer Jitendra Patil.
It must draft new regulations within one month.
These will focus on pricing transparency and safety protocols.
Thousands of school buses operate across Maharashtra.
The government aims to create a fair pricing system.
This move is intended to reduce the financial burden on parents.
A major complaint has been the collection of full-year fees for only 10 months of service. Many parents have proposed a monthly payment system instead of the current lump-sum model.
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Strengthening Safety Measures in School Transport
Apart from financial reforms, the policy will prioritize student safety, particularly after recent incidents in Panvel and Badlapur that highlighted the need for stricter safety regulations. The proposed policy includes mandatory safety features such as:
1. Panic buttons for emergencies
2. Fire sprinklers for added protection
3. GPS tracking systems for real-time bus monitoring
4. CCTV cameras with centralized monitoring by schools or bus operators
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasized the importance of student well-being, stating, “The safety of students must always come first. We are committed to implementing stricter regulations and monitoring systems to prevent any negligence in school transportation.”
Conclusion
With the new school bus policy, the Maharashtra government aims to improve student transport across the state. The focus is on making the system transparent, affordable, and safe. Authorities plan to introduce better pricing models and stronger safety rules. This will help reduce financial pressure on parents. At the same time, it ensures safer travel for children.
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