Seat belts to be fitted on school bus fleet
- Published: 27 July 2005
End of 'three for two' seating for 2nd level students next term
The provision of seat belts for all pupils and the elimination of the 'three for two' seating arrangement on school buses has been announced today by the Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D., and Minister of State with special responsibility for school transport, Ms Síle de Valera T.D.
Measures outlined today include;
Adding over 130 large buses to the school bus fleet - 50 of these will go into service in the next school term, with the balance coming into the system in 2006. Included as part of this will be the purchase of 20 custom built school buses, of different types, to test their suitability.
Hiring in an additional 250 mini buses from the private sector from September 2005.
Immediately start fitting lap belts on all seats on the Bus Éireann school bus fleet. A target date of end December 2006 has been set for all private buses contracted to the scheme to be fitted with approved seat belts.
All school transport to be on a 'one child per seat basis' by December 2006. In the meantime, the 'three for two' seating arrangement will cease for all 2nd level students next term.
From September 2005, the calculation of the seat availability for concessionary/catchment boundary passengers will be on a 'one child per seat' basis.
Minister Hanafin said "this comprehensive package, as agreed by Government this week, will see each child with a seat of their own and the use of a seat belt for their journey to and from school. This additional investment in the school transport system will see more buses from Bus Éireann and the private sector added to the school bus fleet. Our school transport system will continue to maintain the highest standards.
These new measures are part of a continuing programme of expansion and improvement in the school transport system. Safety of all pupils travelling in the school transport system has always been and will continue to be our primary concern."
Minister Hanafin went on to say "the Government had already given a commitment to phase out of the three for two system on school buses. This is now being expedited. The fitting of seat belts will commence from autumn this year on all Bus Éireann buses transporting school children and be completed on all private buses in the scheme before the end of December 2006."
Minister of State, with special responsibility for School Transport Síle de Valera said "the fitting of seat belts on all buses in the school transport system is part of our commitment to ensuring that the safety remains a top priority for the Department and Bus Éireann. My Department, along with the Departments of Transport and Finance and Bus Éireann have looked at best international practice and EU standards in relation to the use of safety belts. International expert advice was also obtained. What we plan is the phased elimination of the three for two seating and introduction of seat belts on all school buses in the shortest feasible timeframe.
We are looking all the time at following best practice and will continue to work with our colleagues in the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann on wider safety issues."
