Mangaluru: Nearly a year after the Dakshina Kannada district administration made it mandatory for all buses to keep doors closed while in motion to prevent accidents, close to 90 percent of buses are still flouting the rule. The directive was issued in the wake of multiple accidents involving passengers travelling on footboards or hanging from open doors of moving buses, but ground-level compliance remains poor.
Rule ignored despite safety concerns
The rule applies to all private and government-operated buses plying within Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, including express and service routes. However, authorities have found that most vehicles continue to operate with doors open, endangering commuters. Even some KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses have been observed violating the directive.
The order, issued in 2023, was intended to enhance passenger safety and reduce fatalities caused by overcrowded and unsafe bus travel. Despite repeated awareness campaigns and enforcement drives by the police and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the problem persists.
Enforcement yet to yield results
Traffic police have been conducting periodic drives to penalise offenders and raise awareness about the risks of keeping doors open while the bus is moving. However, the situation reportedly reverts to normal shortly after such campaigns.
Residents say it is a common sight to see passengers hanging onto bus rails or standing precariously on the footboard, especially during morning and evening peak hours. “Even after fines are imposed, nothing changes. The next day, buses are back to running with open doors,” said a commuter in Hampankatta.
Bus operators oppose directive
Bus owners and operators, meanwhile, have voiced strong opposition to the rule. They argue that private buses already have two doors, and assigning additional staff solely to open and close them during each stop is impractical. They also claim that installing automatic pneumatic doors would involve significant costs, further burdening an industry already facing financial strain due to rising fuel prices and reduced passenger loads.
“Operating in city limits means we stop every few hundred metres. It is not feasible to open and close the doors at every stop. It will delay schedules and increase expenses,” said a member of a local private bus operators’ association.
Commuter safety versus operational feasibility
Authorities, however, maintain that passenger safety cannot be compromised. Officials from the district transport department stated that the rule was introduced after several fatal incidents in which passengers fell from moving buses. They emphasised that operators must prioritise safety over convenience.
Efforts are underway to find a balanced solution, including exploring cost-effective door mechanisms and stricter monitoring of compliance. Officials have also urged commuters not to board overcrowded buses or stand on footboards while in transit.
Persistent challenge for road safety
The continuing defiance of the directive highlights the larger challenge of road safety enforcement in Mangaluru and nearby districts. Despite regular campaigns, public cooperation and operator accountability remain limited.
Transport department sources said a review meeting will soon be held to discuss stricter penalties and possible suspension of permits for repeat offenders. Authorities are also considering deploying inspectors for random spot checks across key routes.
Until then, the sight of open-doored, overcrowded buses continues to be a routine and risky part of daily commuting in Mangaluru — a reminder that implementing safety rules often takes more than just official orders.
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