For private bus operators, traffic rules are last thing to be observed

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 20

Private buses run by various transport companies in the region continue to violate traffic norms in the city. Whether it is picking passengers from undesignated bus stops, blowing pressure horns, jumping traffic lights, speeding and overloading, private bus operators are often seen indulging in such practices without any fear of law.

Frequent traffic jams are witnessed in various parts of the city as private bus operators pick and drop passengers from undesignated bus stops on roadsides. Such scenes are common outside the local bus stand, on Ferozepur Road, Chandigarh Road and Jalandhar bypass.

Though the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in association with the traffic police has stepped up its drive to curb the menace of noise pollution caused by the use of pressure horns by drivers of trucks and buses, the problem still persists.

Many bus and truck drivers were issued challans during the past few days for using pressure horns, but the move failed to yield desired results especially outside the city limits.

Besides, drivers of private buses often jump traffic lights where the number of vehicles is less as compared to other junctions. Private buses are also overloaded with passengers during evening hours only to earn some extra bucks. Commuters too do not bother to board overloaded buses in a hurry to reach their homes on time.

Drivers of private buses do not know about the speed limit rule. They often drive their buses on high speed. In fact, bus operators have limited time at bus stand, but they spend extra minutes to pick and drop maximum number of passengers at undesignated stops and cover time wasted by speeding their vehicles.

The ACP (Traffic), Ludhiana, Gurdev Singh, said, “The traffic police has been working hard and with utmost sincerity to check violation of norms by drivers of all vehicles.”