Siddiqui was presiding over a meeting to examine transport problem of the city. High ranking police and civil servants attended the meeting. Siddiqui said that buses, minibuses and coaches were violating colour code for their vehicles.
The transport officials told Siddiqui that in 1972 a colour scheme was introduced to identify from a distance route of a bus. It was approved that 15-seaters would use yellow body with white roof. In 1992 25-seaters were introduced with a distinct colour scheme. Now 26-seaters were being introduced.
The officials said that it would be necessary to prescribe colour scheme for all public transport and see to it that it was followed.
The minister said that the traffic police and the RTA staff should check buses, minis buses and coaches and ensure that fancy fittings, pressure horns, cassette players had been removed.
He said that reckless driving and racing during peak hours should be checked. There should be strict compliance of the orders regarding female compartments, which most of the time male passengers occupy.
RICKETY BUSES & COACHES: He said that majority of the public transport in the city were in shabby conditions, coaches were rickety, had broken seats, low roof and dirty and worn out seats.
Siddiqui said that the transporters were charging full fare, and at times do not give back change, should be compelled to provide comfort to the passengers.
There should be a limit to overloading and use of horn. Many of the buses have high intensity sealed beams, which makes it difficult for people coming from the opposite direction to drive.
He asked the DIG Traffic to check such drivers and owners and take action against them.
The nuisance of token system introduced by mini buses also came up for discussion and it was decided that this illegality has caused confusion in the schedule of running of buses and mini buses.
The minister has given one month to the owners of mini buses, coaches and buses to improve their vehicles and bring them in conformity with the fitness standards prescribed by the Regional Transport Authority.