CHENNAI: When a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus fatally knocked down five-year-old Ayesha at the bus bay in Central Railway Station on Thursday night, she became the 53rd victim to come under the wheels of the State owned fleet in the city this year.
Incidentally, MTC buses have killed similar number of people till May during the corresponding period in 2010, which increased by four when compared with 2009 data.According to official data, MTC fleet knocked down 51 people till May 2010. In 2009, it was 47. Also, hundreds suffered from minor to grievous injuries in accidents involving MTC buses.
"Contrary to popular belief that technical faults such as brake failure are the primary reasons for accidents, it has come to light that violations committed by drivers are responsible for about 60 to 70 per cent of the accidents," an MTC official disclosed to Express.MTC drivers continue to break the rules on road, despite the traffic police recording the registration numbers of the buses to issue memos to the MTC headquarters on the nature of violations. On an average, the department sends 100 to 120 memos to the headquarters a month. The penalty would be deducted from the salary of the drivers, who drove the buses.Stating that the crew members were being compelled to put in 12 hours of work a day against the stipulated duty time of eight hours, he said many employees even skipped meals to complete their duty.However, MTC officials asserted that adequate training was being provided to the new entrants. "We even train them in Yoga to ensure that they do not lose concentration while at work. Moreover, the trainees are educated about the methods of safe driving," the official said.
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