Bengaluru: With the new academic year less than two months away, the state transport department has directed all road transport corporations to roll out student-focused measures, including special buses, higher frequency services and stricter safety norms.The directive follows recommendations from the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to improve safety and accessibility for students relying on public transport.In a recent communication, the department asked state-run operators — KSRTC, BMTC, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation — to examine and implement the panel’s proposals.The corporations have been instructed to increase bus frequencies during peak morning and evening hours and introduce routes aligned with school and college timings. District-level student transport safety committees, led by deputy commissioners, will be formed to monitor implementation, prevent overcrowding and ensure students are not forced to travel standing.KSCPCR said safe and accessible transport is critical to securing children’s right to education, noting that a large section of students, especially from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, depend on public buses.The department has also called for infrastructure upgrades at bus stations, installation of CCTV cameras and strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment under the POCSO Act. It has mandated a complete ban on overloading and on students travelling standing, warning that unsafe conditions could violate children’s right to life and safety.“This is a welcome and positive step by the govt towards making public transport safer and more accessible for students. Ensuring a child-friendly transport system is essential, especially for children from rural and economically weaker sections who depend heavily on public buses,” said KT Thippeswamy, former member of KSCPCR.—-BlurbTransport corporations have been instructed to increase bus frequencies during peak morning and evening hours and introduce routes aligned with school and college hours. District-level student transport safety committees will be formed to monitor the implementation, prevent overcrowding and ensure students are not forced to travel standing
