The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Transport Department has issued a notification requiring all private schools to obtain fitness certificates for their student transport buses. The move aims to improve road safety and ensure the well-being of students.
Authorities warned that any school bus operating without a valid fitness certificate will face suspension of registration. The department emphasized that unfit vehicles pose serious safety risks and contribute to traffic congestion and poor road management. Schools have been instructed to comply immediately to avoid penalties.
The notification comes amid broader efforts to enhance transport safety and reduce environmental hazards. Earlier this year, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered all schools to provide student transport while implementing a fitness policy for vehicles within 15 days. The directive was part of an initiative to combat dense smog affecting several cities in Punjab, including Lahore and Multan.
Justice Shahid Karim presided over the LHC proceedings, hearing petitions filed by citizens demanding safer school transport. The court stressed that schools must ensure all buses have valid fitness certificates before resuming operations after winter vacations. Institutions failing to comply risked strict action, including potential closure.
KP authorities also highlighted that the fitness certificate system will help monitor vehicle conditions, ensuring that students travel in safe and reliable buses. Officials believe the measure will also improve overall traffic flow and reduce accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles.
School administrations have been advised to submit their buses for inspection promptly to obtain the required certificates. Transport Department officials confirmed that regular checks will be conducted to verify compliance and maintain high safety standards.
The new mandate reinforces KP’s commitment to student safety and the enforcement of strict road transport regulations. With fitness certificates now compulsory, authorities aim to protect students while promoting responsible and safe transport practices across the province.
This initiative is expected to set a benchmark for other provinces to follow, ensuring safer journeys for schoolchildren nationwide.
In other news read more about: Punjab Government Makes Fitness Certificates Mandatory for Motorcycles
