Kerala State Transport Corporation moves to fix liability on drivers
When it comes to drivers, a majority of the permanent staff are having experience of over five years.
Kochi: Take this, the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses were involved in as many as 1,110 mishaps last year as per the figures of National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), even higher than the total car accidents (1,095). With an internal assessment finding reckless driving as the main cause of the mishaps, the KSRTC management has now decided to deploy only “experienced “crew in Fast Passenger and upper Class services.
“It has been decided to deploy only permanent staff in Fast Passenger and upper class services from April one onwards when the schedules will be rescheduled. The main idea is to fix responsibility and ensure experienced drivers handle the long distance services,” a senior KSRTC official said. When it comes to drivers, a majority of the permanent staff are having experience of over five years while the M-panel employees mainly consist of young blood. “Also upon any offence or complaint, they will be subjected to departmental action while the same is not possible in case of temporary staff who won’t turn up again for the job after such incidents,” the official said.
The management already warned its drivers not to take shelter under the “often repeated excuse” of poor running condition of buses as new buses are found to be involved in most of the accidents. “It has come to notice of the management that mishaps due to careless driving are increasing. There are at least 10 ‘hit from behind’ cases last month alone which points to the careless driving,” reads the circular sent to all units. Meanwhile, a section has opposed the new plan saying putting “aged drivers” on long distance routes and in night services would only make the situation worse.