Mumbai: In a major safety enforcement drive ahead of the upcoming academic year, the Mumbai Central and Wadala Regional Transport Offices (RTO) penalised 139 school buses and collected fines worth Rs 7
lakh after inspecting 402 buses over the past 30 days. The action comes as the Maharashtra government’s new school bus safety regulations(2025) are implemented following concerns over continued safety violations.
28 Private Vehicles Found Operating Illegally as School Buses
The inspection drive revealed serious lapses in student transport safety. Officials found that in 28 cases, private vehicles were illegally operating as school buses, putting children at risk. Several buses were also found violating basic safety norms, including absence of female attendants, missing ‘School Bus’ signboards, incorrect bus colour and lack of valid permits. Officials said the violations are worrying, especially with the new school session about to begin, when thousands of students will depend on school buses daily. Authorities have warned school managements, bus operators and vehicle owners to strictly follow all safety rules or face strict action.
The RTO has also appealed to parents to verify safety features in school buses, including CCTV cameras, GPS tracking systems, fire extinguishers and trained staff. Surprise inspection drives will continue across Mumbai in the coming weeks. Authorities say the enforcement drive is not only about penalties but about ensuring student safety, as school transport safety has been a major concern in Mumbai for several years.
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