Pic: Passengers perched on footboards of buses are frequently spotted in HubballiHubballi: Passengers continue to risk their lives by travelling on footboards of buses across the city. This dangerous practice has become increasingly common during peak hours when buses are overcrowded. Bus conductors and drivers often turn a blind eye to this behaviour, putting lives at risk. The transport department’s failure to maintain proper schedules and deploy adequate buses during rush hours contributes to this issue.Many regular commuters claim they have no choice but to travel on footboards as buses are packed beyond capacity. Students and office workers are frequently seen hanging precariously from moving buses, especially during peak hours. Numerous accidents and injuries related to footboard travel go unreported. The transport dept’s monitoring system proved ineffective in curbing this dangerous trend.Gurunath Ullikashi, president, Samata Sena, demanded immediate action, including increased frequency of buses on busy routes and strict implementation of safety regulations. They suggest deploying more buses during peak hours and installing automated doors to prevent footboard travel. The transport dept needs to conduct regular inspections and hold bus crew accountable for allowing overcrowding and footboard travel. Additionally, public awareness campaigns about the dangers of footboard travel could help discourage this risky behaviour. Unless immediate measures are taken to address this issue, the safety of passengers remains compromised. The transport department must prioritise passenger safety by improving services and enforcing strict guidelines against footboard travel, he added.CR Raveesh, DCP, crime and traffic, Hubballi-Dharwad, stated that ensuring the safety of passengers is the responsibility of the transport department. However, many drivers and conductors allow passengers on footboards. He asserted that action will be initiated against buses which carry passengers on footboards, and awareness programmes will be conducted on the risks of travelling on footboards.Priyanaga M, managing director of NWKRTC, acknowledged the issue of overcrowded buses, particularly during peak hours when schools and offices are operational. She stated that they are developing solutions to address footboard travelling, especially in city buses. The organisation plans to enhance bus frequency on high-demand routes by reallocating vehicles from less-frequented routes. A decision regarding this will be taken soon. She further explained that the current challenges stem from insufficient buses, and expressed confidence that introducing new electric buses and additional services would completely resolve the overcrowding issue.
