KSRTC makes training must to cut accidents

Kochi: There is no reduction in mishap cases involving the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses despite acquiring new vehicles that forced the management to make training for its drivers compulsory at all units.

In a circular issued to all depots, the KSRTC management has warned its drivers not to take shelter under the "often repeated excuse" of poor running condition of buses as new buses are 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. The employees can no longer site the excuse of poor condition of buses," reads the circular (No WM01/16) sent to all units.
The corporation acquired a total of 1350 new buses and 400 low-floor buses in the last over a year.

According to figures released by the NATPAC, KSRTC buses were involved in 1017 cases out of the total 36, 282 registered across the state in 2014, while it rose to 1177 cases (total 39014) in 2015.

The circular further directs unit heads to form monitoring committees and ensure that crew training programmes are being conducted on a continuous basis.