Passenger safety in mind, govt bars use of mobile phones for on duty bus drivers

Bengaluru: Drivers and conductors of state-owned transport corporations – BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC – will soon be prohibited from carrying mobile phones while on duty.

In the backdrop of passenger complaints that drivers were compromising their safety by using mobile phones while driving, the state government directed all the four corporations to enforce the rule strictly.

As per the rule, the bus drivers would have to deposit their phones at lockers in their respective depots and a depot officer would be entrusted with task of checking drivers before they board the bus for any violation of the rule. Those found using a mobile phone while driving will be suspended with immediate effect.