Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Pune School Buses Face Action Without Functional CCTV
In a big city called Pune, safety leaders made new rules for buses that take kids to school.
Every school bus must now have a working camera inside so drivers can be watched.
If a bus doesn't have a camera, the people who own it could get into trouble.
Bus drivers and helpers must also pass health checks and police background checks.
For younger kids up to Class 5, a woman helper must ride on the bus every trip.
Special help must be given to children with disabilities so they can get on and off the bus safely.
Schools must listen to parents' complaints about buses and safety.
Inspectors will check the buses to make sure everyone is following the rules.
All of this is to keep children safe on their way to school and back home.
Pune schools and bus operators have been given three months to comply with mandatory school bus safety rules, including functional CCTV cameras.
Vehicles without working CCTV systems could face enforcement action, with systems checked during fitness certificate renewal.
Drivers, attendants and conductors must complete police verification and medical and eye examinations, with online police verification expected within seven working days.
Trips carrying students up to Class 5 must include a female attendant or designated staff member, and special arrangements are required for children with disabilities.
School bus permits may be suspended or cancelled for non-compliance, and operators cannot charge more than 10% above or below the prescribed minimum fare.
- Who
- The Pune district school bus safety committee, led by Pune Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Darade, directed schools, transport operators and concerned departments.
- What
- Schools and bus operators were given three months to install functional CCTV cameras and meet other safety requirements, including police verification and medical checks of transport staff, with permits at risk of suspension.
- When
- The committee meeting was held on Wednesday, reviewing additional safety provisions introduced by the state government on July 16, 2026; compliance is due within three months.
- Where
- The meeting was held at the Pune City Police Commissionerate in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- To ensure schoolchildren are transported safely and that all school vehicles comply with the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Regulations for School Buses) Rules, 2011.
- Compliance deadline
- Three months
- Core requirement
- Functional CCTV cameras in every vehicle used for transporting schoolchildren
- Enforcement check
- CCTV systems checked during vehicle fitness certificate renewal
- Staff checks
- Police verification, medical and eye examinations for drivers and assistants
- Supervision rule
- Female attendant or designated staff required for trips with students up to Class 5
- Penalty
- School bus permits may be suspended or cancelled for non-compliance
- Fare rule
- Operators cannot charge more than 10% above or below the prescribed minimum fare
- Governing rules
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Regulations for School Buses) Rules, 2011, plus state provisions added July 16, 2026