Is Your Child's School Bus Safe? What to Check

School buses have clear national safety rules. Many vans and autos don't follow them. Here's what to look for, and what to do if something's wrong.

The Supreme Court and CBSE have set clear rules for school buses. A school bus should be painted yellow, with the school's name on both sides and "School Bus" written on the front and back. A hired bus should say "On School Duty."

What the rules require

• A speed governor, so the bus can't go faster than 40 km/h.
• A trained attendant on board to look after the children, not just the driver.
• A first aid box and a working fire extinguisher.
• Doors that lock and stay shut while the bus is moving.
• Contact details on display, inside and outside: the driver's name and licence number, and the school's phone number.
• No outsiders on board. Only the driver, conductor, attendant and parents may get on.

CBSE has warned that schools which ignore these rules can lose their affiliation. Many states also require GPS and CCTV on school buses, so ask what your state requires.

Vans and autos

Private vans and autos are where most problems happen: too many children squeezed in, no attendant, and no one checking the driver. If your child travels this way, ask the school whether the vehicle is approved, count how many children ride in it, and meet the driver yourself.

What you can do

Watch the bus a few times at your stop. Ask your child how the ride goes and whether anything worries them. Raise problems at the parent-teacher meeting, or write to the principal and keep a copy.

Sources

• Circular on fire safety and transport precautions in schools (2012) (opens in a new tab) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE))
• Make school buses safe or lose affiliation (opens in a new tab) (Deccan Herald)

This post is general information. Rules vary by state and school board, so ask your school about its own plan.