Following complaints from parents about being charged 12-month fees for a 10-month school bus period and other related concerns, the Maharashtra government has established a single-member committee to develop a school bus policy. In response, school bus owners are now urging the state government to standardise the fee structure while also requesting various concessions and financial support.

“Parents many a times demand that fees be paid only for ten months, but we have to spend money for 12 months as per financial calendar for various fees and taxes, including GST, road tax, insurance premium, annual fitness and parking charges, EMIs, salaries of staff, fines and penalties while parking. We are unable to use the bus for any other purpose other than school use as per regulations. During the vacation periods, the bus undergoes major maintenance, complete servicing, and upgrading of security apparatus, and the expenses are continual,” said Anil Garg, president of School Bus Owners’ Association (SBOA), Maharashtra, in a letter to the school bus committee, a copy of which is with mid-day.