The state government, which conducted a statewide crackdown on unsafe school vehicles and inspected 46,748 of 67,613 registered school buses and vans (69 per cent of the fleet) starting July 1, has found 4,089 vehicles (over 8.7%) violating safety norms.
The authorities issued 4,438 challans, seized 913 vehicles, and collected penalties of Rs 88.52 lakh. A total of 1,768 vehicles were found to be operating despite expired fitness certificates, a statement issued on Wednesday said.
School principals and managers have been told that they are fully responsible for every vehicle (bus, van, or auto) operated by their school. Every school must on priority set up a School Transport Safety Committee and ensure that all vehicles have valid documents, driver verification, and proper safety equipment.
Following the campaign, the Transport Commissioner directed all RTOs and ARTOs to conduct monthly reviews of school vehicle operations.
District-level reviews showed strict enforcement in regions such as Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Lucknow and Kanpur Nagar, while Mau, Maharajganj, Deoria, Hapur and Siddharthnagar lagged in inspections and enforcement efforts.
Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narayan Singh has issued letters to all District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners (as Chairpersons of Regional Transport Authorities), RTOs/ARTOs, and school principals regarding the safe operation of school vehicles.
The Commissioner has directed that private vehicles operating without permits be seized immediately, and vehicles with expired fitness certificates must not be allowed to run. If any school is found violating rules, strict action should be taken in coordination with the District Education Department and the District Magistrate’s office.
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All District Magistrates have been asked to activate the District School Vehicle Safety Committees, hold regular meetings, and closely monitor school transport safety. They must also ensure that private vehicles used for school transport are formally affiliated and authorized without delay, the statement said.
All RTOs and ARTOs have been instructed to conduct monthly reviews of the documents of school vehicles, check for proper safety equipment, and verify the police clearance and regular health checkups of drivers and attendants.
According to the fresh instructions, no vehicle without proper approval or permit should be allowed to operate from school premises. If any accident or crime happens involving such vehicles, the school management will be held accountable.
The Transport Commissioner has emphasised that the operation of school vehicles must strictly follow the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, AIS-063, AIS-125, and especially the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules (26th Amendment), 2019, said the statement.
