Pune School Buses Without CCTV to Face Action, Police Joint Commissioner Warns
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 12th August 2026: School administrations and operators of school buses and vans have been directed to strictly comply with all safety regulations governing the transportation of school students, Pune Police Joint Commissioner Sanjay Darade said during a meeting of the District School Bus Safety Committee held at the Pune City Police Commissionerate on Wednesday.
Officials from the Transport, Police and School Education departments attended the meeting.
Darade said the transportation of school students is a highly sensitive issue and that schools and school transport operators must ensure the safety of children at every stage of their journey.
He said CCTV cameras have been made mandatory in school transport vehicles. Vehicles submitted for fitness certificate renewal must have an operational CCTV system. Vehicles found without functioning CCTV cameras will face action, he said.
Schools asked to maintain staff records
School Transport Committees have been directed to address parents’ complaints regarding school bus services, safety and fares and submit a report to the district committee every three months.
Schools and transport operators must appoint drivers, female attendants and other transport staff in writing and complete their police character verification and medical examinations.
School managements and transport operators have also been asked to maintain records including police verification reports, appointment letters, training details and medical certificates of all transport personnel. These documents must be produced immediately if sought for inspection by the Police, Transport or other government departments.
Additional safety measures for students
The government has prescribed requirements under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Regulations for School Buses) Rules, 2011, covering vehicle construction, safety equipment, school bus permits, appointment of drivers and assistants, and the functioning of School Transport Committees and District School Bus Safety Committees.
Darade said additional safety provisions were incorporated into the school bus regulations through amendments issued by the state government on July 16, 2026, and directed all concerned to implement them.
School bus contractors must maintain student attendance records as well as records of the time each student boards and gets off the vehicle.
For students up to Class 5, additional supervision through a female attendant or another designated staff member must be provided on every trip. School buses transporting students with disabilities must have appropriate facilities to assist them while boarding and getting off. Where required, arrangements should also be made for a teacher, counsellor or parent to accompany such students.
Three-month deadline for compliance
All schools and school bus owners have been directed to comply with the guidelines within three months. Licences of school buses that fail to comply may be suspended or cancelled.
School bus operators have also been asked to enter into a standard agreement with schools or parents and attach a list of students being transported under the arrangement.
The Regional Transport Authority will soon determine fares for school buses and vans. Once fixed, operators will not be permitted to charge more than or less than 10% of the minimum fare determined by the authority.
Schools have been directed to enter the required information on the District School Bus Safety Committee’s website, schoolbussafetypune.org.
The School Education Department has been asked to issue necessary directions to all schools.
Police verification and medical checks
School managements and school bus operators have been instructed to submit online applications for police character verification of drivers, conductors, helpers and other school transport staff through the Maharashtra Police Citizen Services portal.
The police department is expected to complete the verification process within seven working days, officials said.
Darade also directed schools and transport operators to conduct eye examinations and medical tests of school bus drivers and assistants.
The Education Department has been asked to review whether School Transport Committees have been established at the school level.
The Police and Transport departments have also been directed to conduct special inspection drives covering school buses and vans and take strict action against vehicles and drivers found violating safety regulations.
All concerned departments and School Transport Committees have been asked to hold meetings and ensure that school bus operations are being conducted in accordance with the prescribed regulations.
Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale made a presentation during the meeting on the school bus safety regulations and related requirements.
