Many parents in Hyderabad are worried about their children’s safety as school buses reopen for the academic year. There are about 25,000 school buses that travel in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medchal districts. Unfortunately, only 30% of these buses have been checked for fitness. Even though schools collect transportation fees, many parents are receiving messages saying that the buses won’t be running for a few days because they need to be checked for safety.
M Dayanand, the general secretary of Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union, says that more than 70% of school buses haven’t gone through the fitness test. Bus owners and school management should get the buses checked in December and May every year, but many treat it like a ritual instead of a safety issue. While some people suggest seizing unsafe buses as a solution, Dayanand believes that this would only make students suffer without transportation.
