By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 1: Amid growing concern over delays in school transport services, a group of parents staged a protest at the Secretariat on Wednesday, demanding the immediate resumption of Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) buses for students.
The protesters, whose children study at Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in EAC, Upper Shillong, Happy Valley, and Laitkor, said the continued absence of bus services since the reopening of schools has disrupted daily routines and placed a heavy burden on families.
The parents were initially stopped at the Secretariat gate by security personnel. Later, a few representatives were allowed entry to seek a meeting with Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. They were unable to meet him as he was attending a Cabinet meeting and were instead directed to take up the matter with MTC Director K.L. Nongbri.
Soni Kharjana, one of the parents, told reporters that the delay has caused unnecessary hardship despite earlier assurances from the authorities. “We expected the buses to run smoothly. In our last meeting with the Director, we were informed that 10 new buses had already been arranged and would be deployed. However, we have now been asked to wait another four to five days for the training of drivers and handymen,” she said.
Kharjana emphasised that parents should not be held responsible for the disruption, noting that most have already cleared their dues. “We are surprised by claims that the corporation has incurred losses. We have paid the bus fees, yet the service has not resumed,” she added.
She also questioned the corporation’s financial claims, pointing out that private operators are able to sustain services at similar rates.
“A private bus covering about 18 km charges around Rs 1,600 per student and still manages operational costs. If MTC charges Rs 1,400 for a shorter distance and still reports losses, it is difficult for us to accept,” she said.
According to the parents, officials informed them that the 10 buses will soon be deployed to ferry students to Kendriya Vidyalaya, Upper Shillong, as well as to Happy Valley and Laitkor. The delay, they were told, is due to ongoing training of drivers and support staff.
Kharjana stated that more than 500 students avail of the service, and only a few parents have pending dues. The corporation had earlier issued a notice directing defaulters to clear their payments by March 30, warning that failure to do so could lead to the discontinuation of services.
However, parents dismissed this as a major reason for the delay and urged the government to address operational shortcomings. They also appealed for support for economically weaker sections, stating that rising transport costs are making it difficult for children from BPL families to access school services.
“If the government does not step in, some families may have no option but to withdraw their children from school,” Kharjana warned.
Meanwhile, the HYC Education Cell condemned the suspension of MTC school bus services, terming it a decision that has caused widespread hardship.
HYC Education Secretary Enlang Sawian said that MTC buses have long served as a vital lifeline for hundreds of students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who rely on affordable public transport to attend school.
He added that the sudden disruption has increased the financial strain on parents already grappling with rising education and living costs, while also affecting students’ access to schooling.
Emphasising that education is a fundamental pillar of society, he said it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that students can access schools without hindrance. He warned that any decision affecting students’ regular attendance must be reviewed immediately.
The HYC Education Cell has demanded that the state government take urgent steps to restore MTC school bus services without further delay, reiterating that the welfare and future of students must remain a top priority.
