COIMBATORE: Passengers travelling on Tamil Nadu government buses in Coimbatore have been barred from playing music or watching videos at a high volume on mobile phones, with the transport department directing commuters to use Bluetooth devices, earphones or headphones to avoid disturbing co-passengers.The department has issued fresh travel norms to ensure a quiet and safe commute, citing Rule 5(10) of the Motor Vehicle (Driving) Regulation Rules, 2017, which requires drivers to ensure that loud music is not played inside buses. It also cited Rule 228 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, under which acts causing inconvenience or hardship to other passengers are treated as misconduct.As per the instructions, passengers are advised to avoid speaking continuously in a loud voice during the journey and to refrain from playing songs or watching videos on phone speakers without earphones or headphones. Mobile phone use is to be done only through Bluetooth, earphones or headphones, without affecting other passengers’ peace.The department has ordered that awareness stickers reading “No ‘speaker sound’ on mobile phones!” be pasted prominently inside all buses — at the front, middle and rear — for clear visibility. Drivers, conductors and supervisors are to be briefed on the directions at the start of duty.The curbs have come into effect immediately, and transport units have been told to send reports with photographic proof of sticker installation to the govt and the head office.TNSTC Coimbatore division has begun to past stickers on buses. The exercise will cover on 2,510 buses in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Nilgiris and Erode districts. This includes 1,100 buses in Coimbatore district.
