All schools told to get FC for buses in Vijayawada

VIJAYAWADA: Several educational institutions in the city ignored the transport department’s directions on getting fitness certificate (FC) for their buses much before the scheduled reopening of schools. During inspections on Monday, officials imposed fine of Rs 5,000 on finding that a vehicle in G Kondur mandal was unfit to transport students.
Vijayawada RTO M Purendra said that only 1,673 school buses of the 2,329 ones plying in Krishna district have obtained FCs so far despite the department conducting awareness campaigns from May 15.The efforts do not seem to have the intended effect as hundreds of buses are yet to get the permit.
When asked about the action that will be taken against the school managements concerned, Purendra clarified that most of the remaining 656 buses are bufferstock. This means they will be used only once in a month or twice.
To book a slot for test to get FC, the management should log onto aptransport.org and furnishing relevant details like school/ college name, bus registration number, driver name, photo and a valid heavy driving license. The RTO advised schools to keep the vehicles in good condition.
“To avoid duplication, along with all details furnished, we have requested them to put photos of bus in various angles,” he added.