Pune: Nearly Half of School Buses and Vans Lack Valid Fitness Certificates, RTO Data Reveals

Pune, 2nd September 2024: Almost 50% of the school buses and vans transporting children in Pune are operating without valid fitness certificates, according to recent data from the regional transport office (RTO). Out of 6,051 school transport vehicles registered with the Pune RTO, 2,927 are found to be without a current fitness certificate, while only 3,124 have the required documentation.

“Given these numbers, it’s concerning what actions the RTO is taking. Have these vehicles been taken off the roads? Without a fitness certificate, there could be technical issues that pose significant risks,” expressed Arun Sable, a concerned parent from Hadapsar.

Fitness certificates for commercial vehicles, which include school transport vehicles, are mandatory and must be renewed annually. Vehicle owners are required to bring their vehicles to RTO centers at Dive Ghat or Alandi Road, where they undergo a thorough inspection. Only after passing these tests is a fitness certificate renewed.

“Vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates are strictly prohibited. Our Dive Ghat testing facility is available on weekdays for this purpose, and we are conducting checks to enforce compliance. Any vehicle caught without a valid certificate will face fines and possibly confiscation. Transporters must complete the required process in a timely manner,” stated an RTO official.

Anil Garg, president of the School Bus Owners’ Association in Maharashtra, pointed out that many of the vehicles without fitness certificates might also lack the necessary school bus permits from the RTO. “These vehicles could be operating illegally, avoiding the authorities to bypass the fitness certification process. Many vans and buses may appear to be legitimate school transport vehicles, but they could be running illegally. It’s the RTO’s responsibility to identify and penalize such operators,” Garg emphasized.

School bus permits are granted by the RTO for a duration of five years and must be renewed thereafter. For vans, however, the state government has ceased issuing new permits, allowing only the renewal of existing ones if they meet RTO standards.

Bapu Bhave, president of the Vidyarthi Vahatuk Sanghatana of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), voiced his concerns as well. “I intend to file FIRs against those involved in the illegal transportation of school children. If the RTO has this data, they should act swiftly. Obtaining a fitness certificate takes an entire day. To accommodate vehicle owners, the RTO could consider keeping the Dive Ghat testing track open on weekends, so they don’t lose a working day,” he suggested.