All about drivers and helpers

On the 25th anniversary of the Rajagiri Public School, Kochi, TX Peter, the Security Officer, talks about the functioning of the bus system

By Shevlin Sebastian

At 6.30 a.m., TX Peter, the Security Officer at the Rajagiri School, stands near the Jesus Christ statue, inside the Rajagiri Public School campus, as he watches the buses go for their morning student pick-ups. In total, there are 25 buses. But interestingly, only eight buses leave from the campus. “The rest are in parked at CMI [Carmelite of Mary Immaculate] institutions in different places like Thevara, Aluva and Paravur,” says Peter. “This way, we can save up on time in the mornings.”

There are several routes: the buses go towards Tripunithara, Kakkanad, Aluva, Angamaly, Paravur, Kadavanthra, Elamakkara, Thoppumpady, and Mulavukad, among other places.

Since the buses are owned by the Higher Secondary (HS) section, Fr. Rector Bijo Kannattukalathil, of the HS section, retains overall responsibility. He works closely with Peter and the drivers. Fr. Bijo has an app so he can monitor the movements of the buses.

The buses, on the morning run, start returning from 7.45 a.m. onwards. “All are in by 8 a.m., so there is enough time before the 8.15 a.m. start,” says Peter. “It is the rare bus that is late.”

Asked the reasons for being late, Peter says, “It could be a traffic jam or a breakdown. But this is very rare.”

That is because all the buses are maintained properly.  “We do all the maintenance and servicing during the April and May holidays,” says Peter. “The buses are also painted. And we get a fitness certificate from the Motor Vehicles Department.”

And once the academic year begins, if there are any repairs, one, among the drivers, who has the title of Chief Mechanic does the work. The drivers have other responsibilities: they have to wash the buses twice a week. “And they also have to fill petrol, a full tank, twice a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” says Peter. “But usually all of them are free to leave the campus by 8.30 a.m.”

Interestingly, the majority are auto-rickshaw drivers who own their vehicles. “So, till the time they have to return at 3 p.m., they are busy taking customers here and there,” says Peter.

The buses leave the campus by 3.25 p.m. and they return to the Kalamassery campus, by 4.30 p.m. Those who drive the Thevara and Aluva buses, which are parked in those areas, also live in that area. “That way, the drivers don’t have to travel very far after their work,” says Peter.

Not surprisingly, the most difficult season is the monsoons. “Traffic slows down because of waterlogged roads, and in places like Vytilla, where the flyover construction is taking place, you can get delayed,” says Peter.

As for the 25 women helpers, apart from assisting in the buses, they keep the classrooms and the campus clean. Peter, on the other hand, has to oversee the security of the campus.

Meanwhile, there are refresher courses for both the drivers and the helpers. “This is usually done before the start of the academic year in June,” says Peter. “A Motor Vehicles Department Inspector does a refresher course. Sometimes, this is done by the local police.”

So what is being taught? “For example, after the children and teachers get in, the driver or the helper has to close the door before the bus can leave the stop,” says Peter, who had been a Sub Inspector of Police for 33 years, before he retired in 2011.    

Finally, when asked about how the school remains one of the top institutions of the state, Peter says, “The CMI fathers maintain strict discipline and follow a deep set of values.”