Full Marks for Translink’s New Safety-Enhanced School Buses
23 May 2007:
At today’s 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 this 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.
“Translink has always placed passenger safety at the top of its agenda,” said Translink Acting Chief Executive, Philip O’Neill. “We are delighted that, with funding support from DRD, we are now able to offer an even further enhanced level of safety and comfort to our many thousands of school bus users. Moreover, we are very glad to have been able to deliver all of these vital new vehicles in 2007 ensuring the earliest possible elimination of the ‘3 for 2’ practice and also alleviate pupil standing on our services. These welcome measures will further improve the quality of school transport and will also have a positive effect towards encouraging children to use public transport to minimise the adverse impact of the school run.”
Translink’s new fleet will support its existing integrated school bus model, which is renowned throughout the UK for its effectiveness in delivering excellent school services within an integrated network of other socially necessary and rural services. All areas in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from the important investment, with the new vehicles joining existing fleets across the region.
Ends
For further media information please contact Dana McCusker / Kieran Donnelly at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837 / 0777 333 6249 / 07769 7-2275. Email d.mccusker@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editor
Government Recommendations – ‘3 for 2’ and Pupil Standing
In its Report on the Inquiry into Transport Used For Children Travelling To and From School, the Committee for the Environment recommended that the ‘3 for 2’ seat-sharing practice and pupil standing be abolished on designated school bus services. NB: These are not legislative requirements but remain in recommendation format.
The recommended deadlines are as follows:
-abolition of standing – April 2009
-abolition of 3 for 2 – commencement of new school term (Sept/2007)
To deliver on these recommendations, in October 2006, DRD allocated £37million across the school bus transport system – which is provided by Translink (65%), ELB (27%) and some private operators (8%).
Translink carries 65% of the total 110,000 children who travel to and from school by bus each day. Translink carries these children either on dedicated school bus services or by routine stage bus carriage (i.e. as part of scheduled bus services).
Some 6% of the children eligible for transport assistance who travel on Translink buses are Primary School children; the other 94% are in Post Primary education. Of those carried by ELB services, 54% are at Primary School and 45% are in Post Primary education.
Following confirmation of DRD funding (as part of the wider £37million package), Translink commissioned 110 new vehicles specifically for its school bus services. In addition to these 110 new buses, Translink will introduce a further 50 new school buses in 2008.
The allocation of the new buses is based on need – i.e. on those services/areas where 3 for 2 or standing is an issue.
Ultimately, by September 2007, Translink will have ended the ‘3 for 2’ practice on its dedicated school bus services – and will have eliminated standing on these services by April 2009.
Legislation – Seatbelts
On 27th February 2007, the Government introduced new legislation governing the use of seatbelts. The primary aim of this new legislation, which brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK and ROI, is to enforce the wearing of seatbelts or age-appropriate restraints by children travelling in private vehicles, with the driver liable to prosecution if a child under 14 is not properly restrained.
In relation to public transport, the new regulations also stipulate that all bus passengers over the age of 14 must use a seatbelt if one is available – or face a potential fine of up to £500.
Passengers on buses classified as local town or city services where journeys tend to be slower or where provision is made for standing are exempt. The legislation applies, therefore, in the main to Translink’s express inter-city Goldline coach services and Ulsterbus Tours.
With regard to school bus services, Translink has taken the additional step – NB: not required by legislation – that going forward, any buses commissioned for rural school use will be fitted with seatbelts and, further, it will advise all passengers including those under 14 to wear their seatbelt. Therefore, the 110 new buses that will come into school bus services this year, will all have seatbelts fitted.
This also allows for future proofing, should the legislation be amended.
Translink’s New School Bus Fleet
The 110 new vehicles will be 12 metres long and have 66 fully belted seats – or 62 seats plus one wheelchair – based on a seating arrangement of three on one side and two on the other.
Access to the vehicles is via steps at the front and all seating is on one level which is designed to improve safety and comfort on board. Six-camera CCTV systems will be fitted for passenger and driver security.
Additional external school safety signage and warning lights have been incorporated as part of the safety features within the design. The vehicles will have a powered side lift for wheelchair users.
Additional features include interior overhead luggage racks, electronically controlled heating systems, and reduced emissions in line with European Legislation (Euro 4).
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