Kerala orders review of colour rules for tourist buses
Kerala has directed its State Transport Authority to reconsider a 2021 rule prescribing a unified colour code for certain contract carriages, including tourist buses. The review follows concerns that the rule applied only to Kerala-registered vehicles and disadvantaged local operators, while any new measure must retain restrictions on large images and text imposed for road safety.
The Kerala government has directed the State Transport Authority to review the colour code previously prescribed for tourist buses and other non-LMV contract carriages. The Transport Department issued the order after considering the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023, and demands from the tourism sector. The State Transport Authority had introduced a unified colour code on August 11, 2021, under the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules.
The earlier measure followed a High Court order prohibiting large images of film stars and text on buses in the interest of road safety. The Central tourist-vehicle permit rules, however, do not prescribe a specific colour for such vehicles. According to the government notification, complaints were raised that Kerala’s colour requirement, including the prescribed white colour for tourist buses, applied only to vehicles registered in the State.
Vehicles from other States operating under All India permits were not subject to the same restriction. The notification said this had affected the tourism transport sector. It also said some owners had registered buses in other States, contributing to a decline in Kerala’s revenue from motor vehicle taxes and permit fees.
Using powers under Section 67(1)(d) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the government directed the authority to reconsider its 2021 decision and issue follow-up orders. The review must ensure compliance with Central rules and previous High Court directions. The Transport Minister’s office said any new measures must continue to prohibit large images of film stars or text on bus bodies and safety glass.
The order therefore allows the colour policy to be reconsidered without removing the road-safety restrictions.
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