Thiruvananthapuram: The union government is preparing to amend regulations to stop vehicles with all-India permits from operating as route buses, exploiting loopholes in existing rules. The move follows complaints from southern states, including Kerala, regarding misuse of these permits, including the Robin bus issue that garnered wider media attention. The amendment seeks to remove ambiguities in the permit system.

The proposed changes aim to prevent vehicles from operating like regular route services by announcing route timings and ticket prices. Vehicles will be permitted only to transport a group of passengers from one location to another under contract conditions, in line with existing contract carriage rules. Special permits for inter-state travel will not be required.

The all-India permit system was introduced by the union government after contract carriage regulations hindered tour packages connecting multiple states. Misuse emerged when vehicles uploaded travel details online without proper scrutiny and operated as informal route buses. Large buses registering in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, the regions where they are difficult to access, had sparked controversy.

Under the draft notification published the other day, vehicle operators must upload travel details on the designated website for inspection by motor vehicle officials. The rules also include strict provisions to curb permit misuse, which posed a major threat to KSRTC through parallel services. Once implemented, these amendments are expected to completely halt such illegal operations.

Key changes at a glance:

  • Ban on picking up passengers en route or issuing tickets like a route bus
  • Travel details must be uploaded on the vehicle website
  • Vehicles must report to their home state every 45 days