‘Short intervals force buses to overspeed’: Kerala HC urges revision of timings

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has emphasised the urgent need to regulate state bus timings and directed the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to take immediate action to ensure safer urban mobility. Justice Amit Rawal was hearing petitions filed by autorickshaw drivers seeking permission to operate freely in Kochi and Perumbavoor.

In its earlier order dated August 8, the Court had expressed dissatisfaction with the existing timetable for stage carriages, noting that short intervals on congested city routes forced buses to overspeed, endangering commuters and pedestrians. Referring to recent accidents that claimed two women’s lives, the Court directed the RTA to convene a meeting within 15 days to revise the schedule, as suggested by the State Transport Authority, with five-minute gaps in city routes and ten minutes in rural areas.

On Wednesday, Justice Rawal was informed that the meeting had been fixed for September 29 due to the intervening Onam holidays. “I am afraid that there is no compliance with the direction of this Court, nor has any application been filed seeking extension or attenuating circumstances; it is a deliberate act of contempt,” the Court noted. It then ordered the meeting to be advanced to September 10.

The Court further observed that the Regional Transport Officer is empowered to take action against permit holders who violate Rule 153 of the Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules. “Whenever any violation by stage carriage vehicles is noted, the concerned RTO shall issue a show-cause notice to permit holders so that they are sensitised about their role and terms of the provisions of the rules and section,” it said.

The amicus curiae pointed out that short signal timings on Banerji Road–Palarivattam and Medical Trust–Vyttila stretches led to severe congestion, with only a few vehicles moving during the green signal. Taking note, the Court directed that during peak hours (8.30–10 am and 5–7.30 pm), traffic lights be switched off and traffic manually managed by police personnel equipped with walkie-talkies to ease the holiday rush.
(With LiveLaw inputs)