THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision to make white colour mandatory for tourist buses in the name of road safety is going to be withdrawn. A decision on this will be taken in the State Transport Authority (STA) meeting to be held in the first week of July. White colour was made mandatory for tourist buses after the Vadakkencherry bus accident in which nine people died. The colour and graphics of the bus involved in the accident were not suitable for night vision.

The Motor Vehicle Department suggested that tourist buses should be painted white to attract the attention of other drivers. The STA meeting also accepted it. Following the introduction of uniform colour for route buses, colour code was introduced for tourist buses as well. The bus owners approached the High Court but the STA decision was upheld by the Court considering road safety.

Illegal lights and sound systems of the buses had also been removed in the wake of the Vadakkencherry accident.
Associations of tourist bus owners had alleged that the restrictions are affecting the bus sector. With the change of the minister, the position of the motor vehicle association also changed. Minister Ganesh Kumar had openly supported giving colour to tourist buses. However, it is learned that excessive painting works will not be allowed.