Transport Minister Pratap Sarnayak Announces Helpline 1800 221 251 for School Students Using ST Buses

Mumbai, Nov 2025 : Transport Minister and ST Corporation Chairman Pratap Sarnayak announced that a dedicated helpline — 1800 221 251 — has been launched for school and college students who face difficulties while traveling by ST buses. The helpline aims to provide immediate assistance if buses are delayed, cancelled unexpectedly, or if students encounter any inconvenience during their commute between home and school.

Across Maharashtra, lakhs of students depend on ST buses for their daily travel to school and back. The state government provides a 66.66% concession on monthly passes for school students. Under the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Scheme, girl students up to Class 12 receive free monthly passes.

During Minister Sarnayak’s visit to the Dharashiv Central Bus Stand, several school students brought multiple issues to his attention. They complained about buses not departing on time, overcrowding leading to buses skipping stops, delays in arrival, and sudden cancellations — all of which cause academic disruptions. Many students reported reaching home very late after school due to bus delays.

To address these concerns, the Minister announced the launch of the 1800 221 251 helpline, enabling students to seek immediate help if buses run late, get cancelled, or break down due to technical issues. Students may call this number while traveling to or from school to receive timely support.

Additionally, all schools and colleges will be given the phone numbers of department controllers from 31 divisions, so that principals, headmasters, and even students can directly contact officials during emergencies.

Sarnayak issued strict instructions to the ST administration. He stated that if students miss classes or examinations due to delayed or cancelled buses, the depot managers and supervisors of the concerned region will be held responsible.

He further directed that from Monday to Friday, between 5 PM and 6 PM, supervisors must be physically present — in uniform — at major bus stands and student-heavy stops to manage operations. They must not leave until the last school-going boy or girl has safely boarded a bus to return home.

The Minister also instructed that if a student or principal submits a written complaint about academic loss due to mismanagement of school bus services, the responsible supervisors or officers should be suspended or sent on compulsory leave for the number of days equivalent to the student’s academic loss.