Missed the bus, again

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has postponed the implementation of the National Bus Code. The ministry, through its recent notification, has stipulated January 1, 2017, as the new date for the implementation of the code, which lays down the standard features of a modern bus with designs and materials assessed by regulators. Eight years ago, in kCity bus in demand, out of supplyy (16-31 October, 2008), Down To Earth had reported on this issue: kIndia has no basic standards for bus bodies. Till recently, a bus operator would buy a truck chassis from a manufacturer, and get it converted into bus at a body-making facility. The same suspension, brakes and mechanical components would go into a passenger bus as into a truck.y The wait for the bus continues.