Mangaluru: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Dakshina Kannada district has registered cases against 30 vehicles for transporting schoolchildren in violation of prescribed rules and safety standards.

The action follows several complaints about students being ferried in private vehicles without complying with the mandatory safety requirements. The transport department and the police jointly inspected vehicles and identified 30 violations during the drive.

Murugendra Shirodkar, Deputy Transport Commissioner and Senior Regional Transport Officer, confirmed the action in a press release.

Transporting students in white-board vehicles is an offence

According to the transport department, carrying schoolchildren for hire in private vehicles bearing white number plates is an offence under Section 63(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as stated in the department’s release.

Private vehicles registered for personal use are not permitted to operate as commercial transport vehicles without the required authorisation. The rules are intended to ensure that vehicles used to ferry students meet the applicable regulatory and safety requirements.

The department received several complaints alleging that private vehicles were being used to transport schoolchildren without adhering to the prescribed norms. Following these complaints, officials from the transport department and the police conducted a joint inspection to identify vehicles violating the rules.

During the inspection, 30 vehicles were found to be operating in violation of the applicable requirements. Cases were subsequently registered against the vehicles concerned.

Notices issued and fines imposed

The transport department has issued notices to the owners of private vehicles found to be transporting students illegally. The owners have been directed to pay the prescribed fines for the violations.

A fine of Rs 5,000 is imposed for the first violation, according to the department. Officials said that six vehicle owners had responded to the notices issued so far.

A total fine of Rs 30,000 has been collected from these six vehicle owners.

The department is proceeding against the remaining vehicles in accordance with the applicable rules. The action is intended to ensure compliance with transport regulations and discourage the unauthorised use of private vehicles for carrying schoolchildren for hire.

Safety concerns prompt enforcement action

The transportation of schoolchildren requires particular attention to safety, as students depend on transport operators and vehicle owners to ensure that their journeys to and from educational institutions are conducted in accordance with the law.

Vehicles used for commercial transportation must comply with the relevant registration, permit and safety requirements. The use of private vehicles for paid student transportation without the necessary authorisation can undermine regulatory oversight and raise concerns about passenger safety.

The complaints received by the Dakshina Kannada transport department prompted officials to conduct inspections alongside the police. The identification of 30 vehicles during the drive highlights the need for vehicle owners to verify that their vehicles are legally authorised for the services they provide.

Parents also have a role in ensuring that the vehicles used to transport their children comply with the applicable regulations. Before engaging private transport operators, they can check whether the vehicles have the necessary permits and meet the prescribed safety standards.

Transport department steps up monitoring

The action against the 30 vehicles forms part of the department’s enforcement efforts to address violations involving the transportation of schoolchildren.

The issuance of notices and collection of fines from six vehicle owners mark the initial action reported by the department. Further proceedings against the other vehicles will depend on compliance with the notices and the applicable legal provisions.

Vehicle owners have been advised, through the enforcement action, of the need to follow the prescribed regulations while transporting students. Operating a vehicle for a purpose for which it is not authorised can result in penalties and other action under the relevant provisions.

The transport department’s action underscores the importance of ensuring that schoolchildren are transported only in vehicles that meet the applicable legal and safety requirements. Continued monitoring and compliance by vehicle owners are essential to safeguarding students and preventing unauthorised transport operations in Dakshina Kannada district.