Guest column: School buses are very expensive, despite tax holidays

Traffic congestion near school zones is a common problem and not one that can be solved overnight. The solution can be put into action only when schools and parents work together to make a change, arranging transport for all the students. However, most schools have a shortage of parking space, so buses cannot always be parked inside the campus.

Shifting schools is out of the question. One possible solution is to divert vehicles passing through school zones during peak hours to alternate routes. This isn’t easy either; it needs a comprehensive study of the issue.

If all the parents opt for school transport, congestion will be reduced by half. It will also make things easier for parents who brave the traffic themselves! They choose private vehicles because schools charge very heavily for official transport. Managements need to be brought to account, because the government has extended a number of tax holidays for schools and their vehicles.

Public transport is an option. This has issues too, as there is no last-mile connectivity to residential apartments and colonies, which is a must in this case. These are just a few of the practical difficulties of dealing with traffic congestion in school zones.

The writer is a logistic expert.