Opening soon: A pneumatic door to safety

KOZHIKODE:  Taking a cue from the automated door system in the newly introduced low floor buses, the Transport Department has given orders to fit pneumatic doors in stage carriers to ensure a safe journey. Consequently, around 22,000 stage carriages both KSRTC and private buses will have to replace the existing door shutters with pneumatic doors.As per the notification issued by the Transport Department, "no vehicle not fitted with pneumatic door shall be registered as a stage carriage on and after July 1, 2011." It adds that, "every vehicle already registered as a stage carriage should be fitted with pneumatic doors within a year." Pneumatic doors, which are automatic and open inwards, will be controlled by the drivers.According to Transport Commissioner T P Senkumar, the decision was taken in the wake of increase in the number of accidents in the state, caused by ordinary door shutters in buses. "Accidents caused by the lack of shutters in buses are increasing in the state. Besides, opening and closing the ordinary door shutters fitted in buses also cause fatal accidents. As per data, more than 60 persons are killed in such incidents, at an average, in a year. Such accidents can be avoided in buses fitted with pneumatic doors," Senkumar said.The automated door system will prevent passengers from jumping into and alighting from moving buses. "Passengers are often found jumping out of the buses, which have door shutters, well before reaching the stops. People also board buses while they slow down in traffic blocks. As the driver holds the control of the pneumatic doors, such unsafe practices can be prevented," Senkumar said.Besides, the common practice of opening the door shutters outwards by attendants of private buses well before reaching the stops, posing danger to motorists and pedestrians, can be stopped as well."With the new system, there is no need for keeping attendants at the front and rear doors of private buses," he said.As per a notification issued in August 2002, two door shutters one at the front and the other at the rear of the lefthand side of the body were made compulsory in all stage carriers. "The present notification will be applicable to all buses registered after that order and it will be mandatory to obtain the fitness certificate," the Transport Commissioner said.