School Bus Policy - Schools - Translink

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School Bus Policy

Government Aims l Action taken by Translink l Importance of Passenger Safety

In September 2006, the Government announced an additional Ł37 million investment in school bus provision to make the journey to and from school safer and more comfortable for local pupils.

Government Aims

The Government aims are:

By September 2007 the possibility of seating three children on a two-person seat will be abolished (although very seldom used).
From September 2007 new buses intended principally for school work will have high visibility signs and lights to alert other road users.
By April 2009 to end the practice of pupils standing during journeys.

Action Being taken by Translink

The main action steps being taken by the bus companies to deliver the new school bus policy are:

An order for 110 new single deck buses has been placed as part of the additional Ł37m funding. The Translink team worked with Wrightbus to develop a new specification vehicle to meet the new requirements. All these buses will be fitted with seatbelts, be fully accessible and have new signage and lights.
On 23 May 2007, Translink revealed the face of safer school bus travel, hosting a special preview of the first of its new school bus fleet.
At the special demonstration, which took place at the Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, Translink confirmed that it will deliver its full new fleet on schedule, with more than half coming into service before the 1st September 2007 and the rest phased in ahead of schedule by the end of the year.
This will see Translink end the '3 for 2' practice on its dedicated school bus services by September 2007 and eliminate standing on these services by April 2009. More...>>
Additional Drivers will be required for the new school buses: a recruitment exercise is underway and the first of these drivers should enter service from May ’07 onwards.
Currently 35 Goldliner vehicles are being reconfigured for school transport service to replace older vehicles. These will seat 69 children using special three-person seats to one side of the aisle.
To replace older service buses, 80 new double-deck vehicles, seating 76 people, and fitted with seat belts, will be introduced the first of these is scheduled to arrive by September 2007 on routes where the pupil numbers are highest.
A major survey of all schools services operated by Ulsterbus has already been completed.
The Bus Operations team is working in consultation with Education and Library Boards to plan new school service routes that meet demand.

Importance of Passenger Safety

Translink has always placed passenger safety at the top of its agenda.
We have enjoyed an excellent safety record in school transport with two-thirds of the total school population travelling by bus in Northern Ireland.
While it is accepted that bus travel is 10 times safer than travel by car, we have never been complacent about safety and are delighted that that this funding will at last enable us to end any use of the ‘3 for 2 rule’.
By 2009 it will also ensure that on all designated school services no child will have to stand – which will make the journey both more comfortable and safer.

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