Action on bus safety

Following another tragic bus incident in the Hunter Valley, the Minns Labor Government is urging the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce to examine bus and coach safety regulation in the state.

The Taskforce will examine the enforcement of seatbelt laws, consider changes to the Australian Design Rules for buses and coaches, and safety management systems including driver training and fatigue management.

They are expected to deliver any early findings by the end of July.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen says, “When tragic events like this happen, we need to look at what we can do to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“Passengers get onto buses and coaches expecting to be kept safe and the Taskforce will look at what needs to be done to improve passenger safety across the industry.”

The Taskforce will also review Transport for NSW’s oversight of operators as well as their ability to actively manage, monitor and implement safety management systems, and engage with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to review any gaps in risk management of bus safety between the two agencies and bus and coach operators.

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Transport for NSW will seek recommendations by NSW Police on the implementation of any necessary measures to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Meanwhile, 136 concerned local parents and residents have signed Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s petition to fast track seat belts on school buses.

The petition came about when local parents of Shellharbour Anglican College students raised concerns over an unsafe and overcrowded school bus.

The Bugle reported that the bus, which services south of the school, travels along the highway with no seatbelts and up to 19 students crowding the aisle.

By Cassandra Zaucer