In a significant move to address transportation challenges faced by students, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has launched a dedicated helpline for thousands of students across the state. The helpline number 1800221251 will provide immediate assistance to school and college students facing difficulties during their bus travels.
Immediate Help for Student Commuters
The newly established helpline aims to resolve various issues students encounter while using state transport buses for their daily commute to educational institutions. According to MSRTC officials, students can now report problems such as buses not arriving on time, sudden cancellations, or any other difficulties they face during their journey to school or while returning home.
The helpline represents the first dedicated service of its kind specifically designed for student commuters in Maharashtra, marking a crucial step toward ensuring educational access isn't hampered by transportation issues.
Strict Accountability Measures Implemented
In a strong move to ensure compliance, MSRTC has implemented strict accountability measures for its staff. Depot managers and their supervisors will now be held directly responsible if students miss classes or cannot reach examinations on time due to late departures or cancellations of state transport buses.
An official statement clarified the consequences: "If written complaints about educational loss due to mismanagement of school bus services are made by students or by headmasters and principals of schools and colleges, supervisors or officers responsible will be suspended or sent on compulsory leave for as many days as the educational loss occurs."
This stringent policy underscores the corporation's commitment to prioritizing students' educational needs and holding officials accountable for service failures.
Enhanced Supervision During Peak Hours
To further strengthen the support system for student commuters, MSRTC has introduced additional supervisory measures. From Monday to Friday between 5-6 pm, supervisors of all depots have been instructed to stand in uniform at main bus stations and stops with high student traffic.
MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik emphasized that supervisors must remain at their posts until the last student has safely reached home by bus. This directive aims to ensure proper management of bus services during critical hours when students return from their educational institutions.
The initiative came after Sarnaik's recent visit to Dharashiv Central bus station, where school students raised several concerns about their daily commute. Students reported multiple problems including buses not departing on time, buses skipping stops due to overcrowding, and sudden cancellations causing significant educational disruption.
Addressing Serious Consequences
The need for this intervention became particularly urgent given the serious consequences of transportation failures. Sarnaik highlighted that due to buses not arriving on time or being suddenly cancelled, children often reach home very late, sometimes leading to misunderstandings where parents have punished students for delays.
In extreme cases, these transportation issues have had tragic outcomes. Sarnaik pointed out that there have been incidents where girl students committed suicide as an adverse consequence of these transportation problems and subsequent family misunderstandings.
Currently, the state government provides substantial support for student commuters through a 66.66% discount on monthly passes for school students traveling between home and school. Additionally, under the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar scheme, girls up to 12th standard receive free monthly passes, making education more accessible for female students across Maharashtra.
The new helpline and accompanying measures represent a comprehensive approach to addressing the transportation challenges that have long affected students' educational journeys and overall well-being.
