Pune: District School Bus Safety Committee Issues Strict Guidelines for Student Transport Vehicles

Pune, July 11, 2025 – In a significant move to enhance the safety of school children, the District School Bus Safety Committee has issued stringent directives for all vehicles transporting students. The meeting, held recently under the chairmanship of Police Commissioner Mr. Amitesh Kumar at the Police Commissionerate, outlined mandatory safety measures that schools, bus operators, and drivers must follow.

Deputy Regional Transport Officer (Pimpri Chinchwad) Mr. Rahul Jadhav has called upon school bus drivers, owners, associations, schools, and citizens to adhere to these guidelines and cooperate fully in their implementation. The directives were officially communicated through a press release issued by Mr. Jadhav on behalf of the committee.

Key Safety Measures Announced:

1. CCTV Cameras Mandatory – All school buses and vehicles transporting students must install CCTV cameras by July 31, 2025.
2. Female Attendant for Young Children – Buses carrying children below 6 years of age must have a female attendant on board.
3. Female Staff for Girl Students – A female staff member must be present in all vehicles transporting girl students.
4. Police Verification of Staff – Schools must verify the police clearance certificates of all drivers, attendants, and cleaners.
5. Annual Eye Tests for Drivers – Every driver must undergo an annual eye examination, and the certificate must be submitted to the School Transport Committee or the Student Safety and Infrastructure Development Committee. Drivers failing to provide a valid certificate will not be permitted to operate school transport vehicles.

These measures aim to ensure the highest safety standards for students commuting to and from school. Authorities have emphasized strict compliance, and schools have been instructed to implement these guidelines without delay.

Official Statement

Mr. Rahul Jadhav stated, “The safety of school children is our top priority. We urge all stakeholders—schools, transport operators, and parents—to work together in enforcing these regulations effectively.”

The District School Bus Safety Committee will monitor adherence to these guidelines, and any violations may result in penalties. Parents and citizens have also been encouraged to report non-compliance to the concerned authorities.