BENGALURU: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses are not equipped to handle minor emergencies as their first-aid boxes are either empty or inaccessible.
City Express hopped onto buses on various routes and confirmed that this was a common problem. And apart from the passengers, the drivers and conductors complain about it too. The first-aid boxes are stolen by mechanics when the buses are sent for service and sometimes even by passengers, staff alleged.
Divya S, a student of RRIT Engineering College, said, “I have never had to use the first-aid box in a bus. I have only seen them on Marcopolo buses. The government should provide the facility in all its buses and drivers and conductors maintain them properly.”
In many buses that ply from Shivajinagar Bus Station, the first-aid boxes are so hard to open that one might need to break them open in case of an emergency. Mahesh, a BMTC bus driver, said, “Maintenance is not done properly. Thankfully, we haven’t got into situations where we need to use the first-aid box.”
Harish, Chief Medical Officer, BMTC, said, “Local buses don’t really need first-aid boxes because now-a-days people are very smart. If untoward incidents occur, they will rush to the nearest hospital.”
The first-aid kit must contain a tube of antiseptic cream, containing 0.5 per cent of Centrimide BP in a non-greasy base, sterilised gauze, waterproof plaster and band-aids.
Mahesh, a conductor, said, “I injured myself a few days back and there was no first-aid kit in the bus. I had to go to a hospital. At times like this, we feel bad about the condition.”
B Mukkanna, Divisional Chief Mechanical Engineer, BMTC, said, “At the time of giving licence, the road transport officer checks everything in the bus. I was not aware of this problem. I will check with the higher officials.”
I injured myself a few days back and there was no first-aid kit in the bus. I had to go to a hospital. Mahesh, BMTC conductor