School Commute - Options for safe travel of children

suman · 4th June 2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I totally disagree on that suman. No man has the right to pass judgments on anything unless he knows the full facts first hand. Rich or poor or in between or nowhere.

If that is the case, half the threads on this forum wouldn't exist.

But we are going OT here - and you are also (perhaps incorrectly) assuming that all those who are advocating against the 14 in an auto do not know the full facts or all the options that are available. I don't think so - I think its a question of how much they are willing to push their luck because they are not willing to or are unable to take the trouble of dropping their kids to school (by whatever means)

vennarbank · 4th June 2008, 17:22

I just read this thread with real interest since i am exactly at the same stage and i decided for school bus even though it is costly and will dent my budget. Also i need to walk more than a km to drop my kid to bus.

In relation to this topic, i was thinkiing about the argument that people opt to auto since there is no other alternative. I may be naive in this thinking, but i wonder if there is no auto facility to the school does that me none of the kids going in over crowded autos will stop studying.

NO... People will try alternatives which will be difficult personally for them in the first place, but will get used to it.

So people will find alternatives, it is just that lack of will / herd mentality / wrong hope that is keeping these parents to send their kids in these autos.

PatchyBoy · 4th June 2008, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I totally disagree on that suman. No man has the right to pass judgments on anything unless he knows the full facts first hand. Rich or poor or in between or nowhere.

I agree with you on this one John. I feel Suman's view is not worded correctly. While no man has the right to pass a judgement on anything, I am sure you will agree that every man has the right to have an opinion on everything.

I always thought that we post our opinions here. Not judgements.

What do you think Suman?

Cheers,
Rajan

4th June 2008, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

If that is the case, half the threads on this forum wouldn't exist.

we are all expressing our opinions. the person at the recieving end of a bad opinion/or one advocating for the person at the recieving end may percieve an opinion as being a judgement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

and you are also (perhaps incorrectly) assuming that all those who are advocating against the 14 in an auto do not know the full facts or all the options that are available. I don't think so - I think its a question of how much they are willing to push their luck because they are not willing to or are unable to take the trouble of dropping their kids to school (by whatever means)

I agree again.
no one is blaming parents who are strapped for cash and struggling. the people that deserve to be judged and punished are the ones who are well off, can afford it, and still persist in putting their children at risk.
there are a good number of those.

Orion_80 · 4th June 2008, 22:27

When i was looking for my daughter's admission in Montessori, I had lot of conditions.

1. Important: The school should not be too far from my house. It would be easy for me to pick up and drop her and she is too young (3 1/2 years) to be travelling for hours just to reach her school.

2. The school should be good with good teachers.. etc etc.. (regular ones)

I should say i am very lucky to find a good school within 2km from my house. Actually it is the other way round. We shifted to a house which is less than 2km from the school. So now i can drop her at school personally.

I agree that not all parents can do so but it is their responsibility to ensure that safe transport is ensured for the child. If there are lot of children from the same school in the area, you can try and put pressure on the school management to provide a school bus/van to that area.

zaks · 4th June 2008, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I totally disagree on that suman. No man has the right to pass judgments on anything unless he knows the full facts first hand.

I am sorry I have to disagree with that and I also think you are a little confused. Every man in a free country is entitled to an opinion which he may pass of as his judgment but at the same time you are free too to not accept it

. We just can't say they shouldn't have opinions.

zaks · 4th June 2008, 22:45

Why are people feeling so upset when the issue of children's safety is brought up? Is it because they are guilty?

supremeBaleno · 5th June 2008, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by vennarbank

i decided for school bus even though it is costly and will dent my budget.

Out of curiousity, what were the other alternatives available to you ? And when you say it is costly, what is the comparison against ? Because I would think that the school bus would be a cheaper option compared to autos/cabs etc. I could be wrong though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vennarbank

Also i need to walk more than a km to drop my kid to bus.

That's a blessing in disguise. Not only do you get some quality time with your kid, you also get some exercise.

suman · 5th June 2008, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatchyBoy

I always thought that we post our opinions here. Not judgements.

What do you think Suman?

Cheers,
Rajan

Rajan, correct me if I'm wrong but IMHO, very often, what happens is that someone not agreeing with someone else's opinion says that the other person has no right to pass judgement

As Doc & Zaks have summed up nicely -

Quote:

Originally Posted by rippergeo

the person at the recieving end of a bad opinion/or one advocating for the person at the recieving end may percieve an opinion as being a judgement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks

Every man in a free country is entitled to an opinion which he may pass of as his judgment but at the same time you are free too to not accept it

. We just can't say they shouldn't have opinions.

ajmat · 5th June 2008, 10:59

My daughter's school is 20 km away. The school has engaged BMTC and planned the routes so that no bus stops more than 5 times and no journey is beyond an hour. Each child is accounted for and none are allowed to walk home alone without written parent permission. A teacher will remain on the bus till the last stop. No bus is over full

If there is a delay/ jam, the school office monitors this and lets us know.

Recently during a week when a school play was held in the evening. The principal personally told the kids which buses to go where and supervised their departure rather than hobnob with the parents afterwards.

I pay nearly 1200 per month but the peace of mind is priceless

vennarbank · 5th June 2008, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Out of curiousity, what were the other alternatives available to you ? And when you say it is costly, what is the comparison against ? Because I would think that the school bus would be a cheaper option compared to autos/cabs etc. I could be wrong though.

I have the other options of auto and private vans. School Bus atleast in my case is not cheaper. In fact it costs more than autos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

That's a blessing in disguise. Not only do you get some quality time with your kid, you also get some exercise.

Sure, i am for it. In morning i can drop him but he returns back in afternoon and since both my wife and I go to office, it will be tough for elders to pick the kid in chennai sun

phamilyman · 5th June 2008, 16:50

Ajmat,

20 kms, 1200 bucks a month is cheap. We had some 800 bucks when I was in school almost a decade back, for a 17km a side route. And what amazing service. That is indeed a very good school, which one?

esteem_lover · 5th June 2008, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Rajan, correct me if I'm wrong but IMHO, very often, what happens is that someone not agreeing with someone else's opinion says that the other person has no right to pass judgement

Suman, there is a difference between opinion & judgment, i just hope you know that.

thangu · 6th June 2008, 10:19

6 kids hurt as auto hits bus

It's good that the kids escaped without any major injuries. Hopefully the parents will at least now realize the danger they have put their kids into and make amends...

PatchyBoy · 6th June 2008, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by thangu

6 kids hurt as auto hits bus

It's good that the kids escaped without any major injuries. Hopefully the parents will at least now realize the danger they have put their kids into and make amends...

My bet is they will either say that it was the Bus driver's fault or the Auto Driver's fault and conveniently ignore the fact that they are the PRIME ACCUSED in this case.

They will just find another Auto.

Cheers,
Rajan

4th June 2008, 17:22	#107
vennarbank BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 179 Thanked: 158 Times	If the auto facility itself is not there I just read this thread with real interest since i am exactly at the same stage and i decided for school bus even though it is costly and will dent my budget. Also i need to walk more than a km to drop my kid to bus. In relation to this topic, i was thinkiing about the argument that people opt to auto since there is no other alternative. I may be naive in this thinking, but i wonder if there is no auto facility to the school does that me none of the kids going in over crowded autos will stop studying. NO... People will try alternatives which will be difficult personally for them in the first place, but will get used to it. So people will find alternatives, it is just that lack of will / herd mentality / wrong hope that is keeping these parents to send their kids in these autos.
	() Thanks

4th June 2008, 22:27	#110
Orion_80 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 27 Thanked: Once	When i was looking for my daughter's admission in Montessori, I had lot of conditions. 1. Important: The school should not be too far from my house. It would be easy for me to pick up and drop her and she is too young (3 1/2 years) to be travelling for hours just to reach her school. 2. The school should be good with good teachers.. etc etc.. (regular ones) I should say i am very lucky to find a good school within 2km from my house. Actually it is the other way round. We shifted to a house which is less than 2km from the school. So now i can drop her at school personally. I agree that not all parents can do so but it is their responsibility to ensure that safe transport is ensured for the child. If there are lot of children from the same school in the area, you can try and put pressure on the school management to provide a school bus/van to that area.
	() Thanks

4th June 2008, 22:45	#112
zaks BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 952 Thanked: 181 Times View My Garage	Why are people feeling so upset when the issue of children's safety is brought up? Is it because they are guilty?
	() Thanks

5th June 2008, 10:59	#115
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,175 Thanked: 31,073 Times View My Garage	My daughter's school is 20 km away. The school has engaged BMTC and planned the routes so that no bus stops more than 5 times and no journey is beyond an hour. Each child is accounted for and none are allowed to walk home alone without written parent permission. A teacher will remain on the bus till the last stop. No bus is over full If there is a delay/ jam, the school office monitors this and lets us know. Recently during a week when a school play was held in the evening. The principal personally told the kids which buses to go where and supervised their departure rather than hobnob with the parents afterwards. I pay nearly 1200 per month but the peace of mind is priceless
	() Thanks

5th June 2008, 16:50	#117
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,673 Times	Ajmat, 20 kms, 1200 bucks a month is cheap. We had some 800 bucks when I was in school almost a decade back, for a 17km a side route. And what amazing service. That is indeed a very good school, which one?
	() Thanks

6th June 2008, 10:19	#119
thangu BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 124 Thanked: Once	6 kids hurt as auto hits bus It's good that the kids escaped without any major injuries. Hopefully the parents will at least now realize the danger they have put their kids into and make amends... Last edited by thangu : 6th June 2008 at 10:24.
	() Thanks