Demand gets louder for driverconductor

Frequent accidents involving SuperFast buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have reignited the demand to depute a drivercumconductor pair on longdistance buses to prevent accidents due to driver fatigue.

Most accidents caused by driver fatigue can be prevented if a pair of drivercumconductors are deployed, in which case they will take turns at steering the bus and issue/verify tickets, say KSRTC sources.

Earlier order

They cite an order issued by Biju Prabhakar, former CMD, on July 7, 2023 to introduce a drivercumconductor cadre in the KSRTC to safely steer its longdistance buses.

The order refers to the benefits of such a system in vogue in most other RTCs in the country and also speaks of additional increments in basic pay and allowances, visavis regular drivers and conductors.

Expressing angst at the spree of accidents involving KSRTC longdistance buses, the Kerala State

Transport Driver’s Union sent a letter on Friday (March 22) to the CMD seeking his attention to the drivercumconductors being deployed only in KSRTCSWIFT buses.

“Most other RTCs and even national permit lorries have either drivercumconductors or a standby driver to prevent driver fatigue and the probability of accidents. Moreover, drivers who steer buses nonstop for hours together also are prone to cardiac issues and lifestyle diseases,” T Sony, general secretary, says in the letter.

Not keen on it

Union’s working president R. Ayyappan says the KSRTC’s order on deploying drivercumconductors is yet to take off in right earnest since many unitlevel officers are not keen to implement it.

“The responsibilities of conductors have considerably lessened following the introduction of seat reservation. On getting driving licence, they can spare a few hours per trip to steer the bus, lessening the fatigue of drivers. This will also lessen KSRTC’s expenses,” he says.