The new Translink buses, which are fitted with seatbelts are being funded by the Department for Regional Development at a cost of £13 million and will make travel to and from school safer and more comfortable for pupils.
Speaking at Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, Conor Murphy said: “The safety of our children travelling to and from school is of paramount importance to us all and the introduction of the first of these impressive new vehicles for school services will help to protect our young people.
“The safety of school transport has also been of particular importance to the Assembly, not least during the last period of devolution, when an Assembly Committee inquiry on home-to-school safety was established. I am pleased to report, as recommended by that Committee, that by the end of the current school year the practice of three children sharing two seats will end.”
Caitríona Ruane said: “Although travel by bus is already the safest way of getting to school, the introduction of these 110 new high capacity buses, which are fitted with seatbelts, will help us meet the recommendations made by the Environment Committee and make school bus journeys safer and more comfortable. Safety is paramount for our children.
“I am particularly pleased to report that the Education and Library Boards have already managed to remove 3-for-2 seating arrangements on their vehicles.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Approximately 110,000 pupils travel to school by bus; 65% of these on Translink services, 27% by Education and Library Boards and 8% by private contractors. Those who travel with Translink use routine stage carriage services, including some “school” services which operate only during term time.
The purchase of the 110 buses for Translink school bus services, which are fitted with seatbelts, has been approved by the Department for Regional Development. The project is also supported by the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment.
Travel by bus is the safest way of getting to and from school: over the past 10 years there have been no fatalities on school buses.
A joint project board, comprising the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment is taking forward the issue of home to school transport.
The purchase of these buses was first announced by the then Children's Minister, Maria Eagle in September 2006. The Department of the Environment is currently finalising guidelines and reporting arrangements for the use of '3 for 2' and standing capacity in exceptional circumstances. A pilot scheme is currently under way and it is expected that they will be fully implemented in September, after the pilot scheme has been reviewed.
The Department of the Environment is also currently finalising a technical specification for the new vehicle signs and lights, which has been completed in co-operation with Translink, the Education and Library Boards, the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Education and other technical experts. Fitting onto buses is expected to begin in May 2008, after the necessary legislative amendments have been made.
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