HYDERABAD: With schools to reopen on June 12, parents and students face a concerning situation as 8,657 buses operated by educational institutions remain off the roads, confined to garages across the state.According to data from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), there are 25,677 buses operated by educational institutions. However, only 17,020 of these buses have fitness certificates so far. In Greater Hyderabad alone, over 3,000 school buses still need to undergo mandatory fitness tests, despite the Regional Transport Authority having made this facility available for the past three weeks.The Motor Vehicles (MV) rules mandate that school managements maintain valid fitness documentation for their vehicles. Furthermore, these buses must be equipped with emergency exits and fire safety equipment. The RTA conducts annual inspections to assess vehicle condition before issuing fitness certificates, which are required prior to the commencement of transport services for the academic year.In addition, the RTA will scrutinise auto-rickshaws and omni buses, having found that many of these vehicles are operating beyond their permitted passenger capacity. From June 12, surprise checks will be carried out to determine whether these vehicles meet fitness standards, avoid overloading, and are not unauthorisedly used for transporting pupils.The Transport department has issued instructions to all District Transport Officers (DTOs) and Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to conduct a special drive across their respective jurisdictions, focusing exclusively on vehicles used to transport school children.

They have been instructed to check for valid fitness certificates, compliance with seating capacity norms, and the unauthorised use of private vehicles for commercial or hire purposes. Vehicles found to be unfit or dangerously overloaded are to be taken off the road, with proper records maintained of all inspections and violations.“School buses over 15 years old must not be operated. If such ageing or unfit vehicles are used to transport students, not only will the vehicles be seized, but legal action will be initiated against the managements. The responsibility for maintaining vehicles operated by educational institutions lies with school management. The buses must be kept in good condition, and experienced drivers must be employed,” said M Chandrasekhar Goud, joint transport commissioner (Vigilance & Enforcement).