Private transport drivers urge extension of panic button deadline

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Federation of Private Transport Organizations Registered Drivers Forum has requested the Regional Transport Commissioner in Shantinagar on Friday to extend the deadline for the installation of the RS (Vehicle Location Tracking Device) and panic buttons in vehicles. The original deadline of September 10 was set by the Transport Department, but the forum has asked for an extension until the end of November due to financial hardships caused by heavy rains in June, July, and August. In their representation, the forum highlighted that many vehicles have not been rented in recent months, leaving vehicle owners and drivers without income.

This has made it difficult for them to pay drivers' salaries, repay loans taken from private finance companies, and manage their households. The forum urged the Transport Department to issue vehicle standard certificates under previous regulations until the new RS and panic button rules are implemented. They also requested a review of the costs of installing RS and panic buttons, suggesting that the fares charged by private companies in Karnataka are significantly higher than in other states. The forum called for reasonable pricing to reduce the fiancial burden on drivers.