KAKKANAD: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Ernakulam, is all set to submit a memorandum to the State Government, seeking to file an appeal against the decision of the State Transport Appellate Tribunal (STAT) that recently stayed the RTA’s order to install pneumatic doors in buses plying in the city.
The Regional Transport Officer, who is secretary to the RTA Board, circulated the memorandum last week among the District Collector, Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) and the Superintend of Police, to challenge the stay.
“The circulation of the memorandum has been completed, on which the District Collector, the DTC and the SP have signed. The memorandum will be send to the State Government on Friday itself,” said RTO K M Shaji.
As per rule, the RTA does not have the right to file an appeal directly to the STAT.
The memorandum will include amendments to the current Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules-280(2). The order states that the entrances of a stage carriage shall be provided with shutters which can be opened outward from both inside and outside, except in the case of town and city services.
The State Transport Appellate Tribunal issued a directive staying the RTA order, after the deadline set by the RTA to install pneumatic doors on private buses expired. The stay was issued based on a petition filed by Private Bus Operators Association general secretary K B Suneer, stating that the RTA order was impractical.
The order issued by the RTA states that the bus owners should either install pneumatic doors or appoint door-checkers in buses plying in the city. The District Collector had given an ultimatum to fix the same by August 31, by making the necessary modifications. Later, the bus owners approached the STAT, seeking a stay on the RTA order.
“The decision to submit the memorandum was taken in the wake of the frequent accidents in the city. Hereafter, the government will take the final decision, which probably will take place within a few days,” said Shaji.