Bathinda: School and college bus operators on Thursday demanded a separate transport policy with lower taxes and fewer regulatory requirements, including removal of the vehicle fitness condition, at a protest rally in Bathinda.A large number of operators, drivers and conductors participated in the meeting, while private school and college buses remained off the roads in Bathinda, Mansa and Barnala districts.Punjab School and College Private Bus Transport Union president Gurpreet Singh Sra said operators were unable to meet conditions applicable to regular large buses. School buses typically cover only 50-60 km a day and operate for fewer days in a year, compared with around 500km daily for large buses throughout the year, he said.Operators also opposed the mandatory installation of new GPS systems, calling it an additional financial burden.They demanded lower taxes, an end to alleged harassment by transport officials and an increase in the permitted life of school buses from 15 to 25 years. They warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands were not met.
