BANGALORE: The shocking sight one daily witnesses outside many city schools after the school hours has left parents worried. Despite schools having an authorised bus stop right outside their gates, students often have to wait for hours to board a bus to go home.A closer look at the problem reveals that many Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses seldom stop at the authorised bus stops.“At the start of every academic year, there are around 2-3 Traffic cops assigned to guide traffic after school hours. But by the year end, the scenario changes and students face a lot of problems in boarding buses,” said Kritika Sharma, an English teacher at a private school in Koramangala.This problem is not limited to one school but spread across the city with both teachers and students complaining about the disdainful attitude of the BMTC personnel. “We have to literally plonk ourselves on the road and try to stop buses that has to rightfully halt at our bus stop. But, they arrogantly avoid us and drive away,” said K Jitesh, a student of St.Josephs’ Indian Boys High School. Many schools and students have lodged umpteen number of complaints with the BMTC authorities, who have then guided them to the Traffic Management Centre (TMC).“We have complained to these officials too but they just take down the bus number and tell us that the problem will be solved.The bus drivers are so rash that sometimes they even graze past the students but do not have the courtesy to stop. But the students need to go home and they try to stop buses by using various means,” said Sharmila, a teacher from Ashok Nagar. When questioned about the same, BMTC officials feigned ignorance about the matter. “We have strictly directed all bus drivers to halt only at authorised bus stops and we are not aware of any such complaints,” said Mukesh, a BMTC Manager.Further, TMC officials claimed that it was the students’ fault that they pour out on the main roads. “They should wait at the bus stop and not come onto the main roads as it is dangerous. However, we have received a few complaints and we will look into the matter,” said a senior TMC official. Students however have started registering their complaints online through : www.consumercomplaints.to be heard.
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