Aurangabad: The new academic year is scheduled to begin in June and it is mandatory for the school bus owners to get fitness certificates from the regional transport office (RTO) before the schools reopen.
Anticipating a rush of bus owners seeking the necessary clearance in the days to come, the Nanded RTO has facilitated a special quota for school buses in the online appointments from May 4.
“School bus owners facing difficulties in getting online appointments can opt for the offline procedure as well. The necessary inspection of their vehicles will be slotted on Sunday and other public holidays as a special measure,” said an official release issued by Nanded RTO.
RTO authorities said small buses (light motor vehicles) and large buses (heavy motor vehicles) would be charged a fee of Rs 600 and Rs 800, respectively, for the fitness certificates. At the time of applying for a fitness certificate, bus owners also need to pay the annual tax, which is nearly Rs 100 per seat and varies as per the seating capacity.
“Having a fitness certificate is a must for school buses and a fine of Rs 4,000 is levied for violation, among other actions. Since the safety of students is at stake, all bus owners are requested to get their vehicles inspected to get the fitness certificates,” RTO authorities said.
A section of school bus owners has sought sufficient time to get the fitness certificate. “We suffered heavy losses during the past two academic years as the schools were closed. Our income resumed only in the past few months, and we have many debts to clear. The RTO authorities must not initiate a crackdown on buses right from the beginning of the academic year,” said Ramesh Gaikwad, who is engaged in school transportation.
Education activist Tukaram Saraf said school-owned transportation services must be asked to get fitness certificate before June. “The schools have already taken money from parents towards the bus service. Therefore, schools should not have any issues in showing the desired compliance,” he said.
Anticipating a rush of bus owners seeking the necessary clearance in the days to come, the Nanded RTO has facilitated a special quota for school buses in the online appointments from May 4.
“School bus owners facing difficulties in getting online appointments can opt for the offline procedure as well. The necessary inspection of their vehicles will be slotted on Sunday and other public holidays as a special measure,” said an official release issued by Nanded RTO.
RTO authorities said small buses (light motor vehicles) and large buses (heavy motor vehicles) would be charged a fee of Rs 600 and Rs 800, respectively, for the fitness certificates. At the time of applying for a fitness certificate, bus owners also need to pay the annual tax, which is nearly Rs 100 per seat and varies as per the seating capacity.
“Having a fitness certificate is a must for school buses and a fine of Rs 4,000 is levied for violation, among other actions. Since the safety of students is at stake, all bus owners are requested to get their vehicles inspected to get the fitness certificates,” RTO authorities said.
A section of school bus owners has sought sufficient time to get the fitness certificate. “We suffered heavy losses during the past two academic years as the schools were closed. Our income resumed only in the past few months, and we have many debts to clear. The RTO authorities must not initiate a crackdown on buses right from the beginning of the academic year,” said Ramesh Gaikwad, who is engaged in school transportation.
Education activist Tukaram Saraf said school-owned transportation services must be asked to get fitness certificate before June. “The schools have already taken money from parents towards the bus service. Therefore, schools should not have any issues in showing the desired compliance,” he said.
