India's public transport system is in desperate need of an overhaul
It doesn’t require an exercise in analytics to conclude that the transportation system in India is in need of an immediate revamp.
The modest sarkari buses, the cab prices that multiply up to five-seven times during peak hours, the incessant honking on the roads, the everyday fights with autorickshaw drivers; all of us have been irked by these, at one point or the other.
Then there are more pressing issues like overspeeding, road accidents, the victims who die unattended and the dearth of enough trauma centres.
All these concerns call for a prompt response to fix the long-standing problems and of the transport sector, while also address the nascent developments that are disrupting the status quo; and there was never a better opportunity to address these, until now.
The government is preparing a draft to amend the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 which could be taken up by the cabinet in the monsoon session of Parliament in all likelihood, if the road ministry is to go by.
The amendments to Motor Vehicles Act will draw upon important submissions from the meetings of the group of state transport ministers (GoM) that took place over the last couple of months.
The GoM observed in its interim reports that the Rules of Road Regulations, 1989, have become outdated and there is a need to issue fresh regulations in line with the present-day requirements.
It suggested comprehensive regulations with respect to surge pricing, excessive honking, harassment by licence issuing authorities, among others.
These suggestions are expected to become a part of the law, if the new Motor Vehicles Act sees the light of the day.
Increasing road accidents
Among the various changes proposed in the transport sector, the Act could induct "Good Samaritan Guidelines" formally in the law.
This would give statutory backing to those who report cases of accidents or help the victims, thus shielding the good samaritans from excessive questioning, court appearances and other legal formalities.
 |
| As per Union government’s road accident report, nearly 400 people die on roads every day. |
As per Union government’s road accident report, nearly 400 people die on roads every day; it is, therefore, imperative that road accident victims are not left to the mercy of police or ambulances.
The government must ensure that those who come forward to help are not tangled in the intricacies of the law.
Incessant honking
It’s not just the deflected moral compass of drivers that needs course correction, but driving ethics itself. A rather prominent is the problem of excessive honking.
The new law is expected to clamp down on "needless or continuous" honking and will attract an initial fine of Rs 500, and Rs 1,000 subsequently.
There is also a proposal to impose a Rs 5,000 penalty on owners for installing multi-toned and air horns in vehicles.
Monopoly of taxi aggregators
Meanwhile, it is commuters like me, using Ola, Uber and other taxi aggregator services, who’re desperately awaiting structural reforms.
The government has repeatedly assured that it will tighten the noose on taxi aggregators, but words haven’t translated into any action.
An automobile aggregation policy is the need of the hour to administer taxi aggregators and fix rules relating to fares, fuel and safety.
The upper cap for the fare must also be fixed to curb surge pricing. The government is also expected to promote low-cost last-mile connectivity which will allow/legalise e-rickshaws and two-wheeler taxis.
Harassment by transport authorities
In a move to curb nepotism and harassment at the hands of license issuing authorities and modernise the system, one can envisage walking into automated centres for issuance of a driving license in the future.
The GoM has suggested that the driving skills of the individuals be tested by automated equipments, and the move will revolutionise the licensing system if taken up in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act.
Road ministry’s litmus test
The seriousness with which the government is pursuing transport regulation is well reflected from its plans to double the penalty for those entrusted with enforcement of law, to set an example among road users.
While the modalities of these suggestions are still to be worked out, each of them ought to be addressed for their significance.
With the fate of the Road Safety Bill in limbo, the ministry of road transport and highways must push for the much-needed reforms, for this will be the litmus test of its efficiency.