GUWAHATI, Dec 27 - The norms set by the transport authority for regulating and streamlining the plying of city buses continue to be flouted by the buses with impunity.
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) had fixed several norms during this year, including time cards, an increase in the number of bus�routes�from 22 to 37, doing away with handymen in�buses, stipulating two-minute stoppages at bus stops, pasting of photos of bus�drivers on the windshields, etc., for easing the city�s traffic snarls and to ensure a hassle-free ride for the commuters.
The time card is given to each�bus�before the journey every day, and the timing of each and every�bus�is mentioned in the time card. No�buses�are allowed to overtake other�buses�and have to ply normally on the roads.
�The authorities restrict their role to issuing guidelines but they are least bothered about monitoring and enforcing those rules. All the rules and regulations are followed only for a short span of time. Not a single city bus is seen following the rules on the roads. I urge the authority to routinely check the buses to reduce the city bus-induced chaos on the roads,� a daily commuter said.
State general secretary of the All India Road Transport Workers� Federation Biren Sarmah said, �It is also important to make the drivers and the handymen of the buses aware and give them the required training.�
The authority had also pasted the details of the�city�buses on every bus stop but according to a commuter, it is not helpful. �The details carry information only about the route numbers. It should carry both the route numbers and the bus numbers,� he said.
When contacted, a source in the�Office�of the�District Transport�Officer, Kamrup (Metro) said, �It takes time to implement all the guidelines at one go. But, we are continuously working to mitigate congestion on the roads. Stringent action will be taken soon on those found violating the rules.�
