KOCHI: Ernakulam regional transport officer (RTO) has cancelled the fitness certificate of three buses after finding them plying without doors as the motor vehicles department (MVD) launched an aggressive campaign to enforce the newly-introduced rule on exit doors on city buses. It has slapped a fine and issued notices to the owners of 30 buses which were found operating with doors tied to the body within two days of the campaign, which started on Saturday.
Ernakulam RTO Jojy P. Jose told DC that fitness certificate of the three buses have been canceled as an immediate action. “Two special squads have been constituted to carry out the inspection all across the city daily," he said. "All regional transport and joint regional transport offices are part of the drive. Action will also be taken against overloaded goods vehicles. The drive will continue till next month." Authorities are imposing a fine of Rs 500 - Rs. 1000 for the offence and the amount will increase if violations are caught twice, officials said.
Recently, the High Court had dismissed a petition filed by bus operators' association against the amendment in the Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules 2016, which make doors mandatory in stage carriers. Following that, the MVD along with the enforcement wing issued orders giving deadline to the buses to make changes.
Private Bus Owner's Association president M.B. Sathyan said more than 95 per cent of the city service buses have completed fitting exit doors. There is a delay because of the shortage of bus workshops in the district,” he said.
