Every morning before sunrise, while most of the people are still asleep, Rangilal Bind readies himself for a responsibility he has carried with pride for nearly three decades – driving the school bus. At 45, he has spent more than half his life behind the wheel, ensuring that children from Mumbai’s, Borivali to Goregaon up to Juhu, Santacruz reach their classrooms safely and on time.
Rangilal’s journey began in 1997, when he first secured his driving license. His earliest memories of driving are linked to his grandfather, who worked with Sai Ganesh Tours & Travels, owned by Deepak Naik. What started as an opportunity to help the family soon grew into a lifelong calling. “Since my childhood, I have been connected to this work,” he says with quiet pride.
For Rangilal, the school bus is more than just a vehicle; it is a moving bridge between parents and teachers, home and school. His bus carries 30-40 children, from tiny nursery kids to lively teenagers in class eight. Each round, four in a day, is filled with chatter, laughter, and sometimes, sleepy yawns of early mornings. “The children pass my time,” he smiles, “and in their company, the day never feels long.”
Safety, for him, is non-negotiable. The Eicher bus is equipped with three cameras, a voice recorder, and lady attendants to ensure children’s wellbeing. Rangilal himself keeps a sharp eye on every mirror, every sound the bus makes, and every tyre’s air pressure before starting his rounds. He trusts the Eicher bus he drives, praising its comfort, big clear windows, and smooth steering. “Maintenance is good,” he explains, “and if ever something goes wrong, the company is quick to respond.”
His bond with the parents is as strong as his bond with the children. He knows almost every family by face and name. If a parent is late at the drop-off point, he doesn’t just drive away, he calls, he waits. “Once, a father working in Dubai called me and said, ‘My wife and kids are alone, please take care of them.’ How can I say no? These children are like my own when they are in my bus.”
The life of a driver is not without challenges. Many truckers he knows spend months away from their families, something Rangilal could never imagine. “That’s why I chose this segment. By evening, I am home. I see my children every day.” His own three kids, two boys and a girl, are still young, and he dreams of giving them opportunities beyond what his generation had. “We held the steering wheel since our youth, but our children will study. They will choose their own path,” he says with hope.
Technology has transformed his work. From the days of running to a studio during the pager era to now using WhatsApp and YouTube, Rangilal has adapted with ease. His evenings are often spent watching light-hearted shows like Motu Patlu with his kids, or catching up on the latest news on his phone.
“Rangilal’s story is a reflection of the trust and reliability that define the school bus segment. Generations of School Bus drivers count on Eicher buses to deliver what matters most — safety, comfort, and uptime. At Eicher Trucks and Buses, we are committed to strengthening this trust by offering buses equipped with advanced safety features, robust service support and telematics that provides peace-of-mind to parents, school administrators and transporters. Stories like Rangilal’s remind us that every Eicher yellow school bus is not just a ride, but a promise to safely carry India’s future!”
– Suresh Chettiar, Executive VP – Bus Division, VECV
