The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued new regulations requiring all private school buses to obtain fitness certificates to ensure road safety and protect students commuting to and from schools. The move comes after several road accidents involving school transport vehicles, prompting authorities to take stricter measures to monitor and regulate school transportation.
Under the new directive, private schools must ensure that their buses undergo thorough mechanical inspections, including checks on brakes, lights, tires, and other safety equipment. Only buses that pass these inspections will be issued official fitness certificates, which must be renewed periodically to remain valid. Authorities have warned that non-compliance will result in strict penalties, including fines and suspension of transport services.
The KP Transport Department, in coordination with the Traffic Police, will supervise the inspection process. Mobile inspection units and designated testing centers have been set up across the province to facilitate compliance and make it easier for schools to certify their vehicles.
Officials stated that the initiative aims to enhance student safety, prevent traffic accidents, and ensure that vehicles used for school transport meet proper mechanical and safety standards. Parents have welcomed the move, noting that it will give them more confidence in the safety of their children while commuting to school.
School administrators are now required to maintain proper records of fitness certificates for each bus and ensure that drivers hold valid licenses. The government has also emphasized that regular checks will be conducted to verify compliance, with immediate action against schools violating the regulations.
Transportation safety experts said the mandate aligns with international best practices for school bus safety and represents a significant step toward reducing road-related incidents involving school children in the province.
