Translink – Safer School Buses Hit Roads Today
3rd September 2007:
As thousands of Northern Ireland pupils make the journey back to school today (Monday 3rd September), many will be aboard Translink’s new safety enhanced school buses whose introduction will bring an end to ‘3 for 2’ seat-sharing across Translink’s dedicated school bus services and increase seatbelt usage and awareness among young people here.
In time for the new school year Translink, which carries 65% of the total 110,000 children travelling daily to and from school by bus, is rolling out the first of its new fleet of 160 top-grade dedicated school buses. The new fully accessible vehicles have greater passenger capacity and will considerably augment Translink’s dedicated school bus services, eliminating henceforth ‘3 for 2’ seat sharing on these services and beginning the countdown to ending standing on them also by April 2009 – both in line with NI Assembly recommendations.
Over and above current government requirements, Translink took the additional step of putting seatbelts into all of the new buses to maximise pupil passenger safety, reflecting its policy going forward that all vehicles commissioned for rural school use will have seatbelts.
“We are delighted to begin the new school year on such a positive note, providing our school bus users with progressive new vehicles which will first and foremost enhance their safety but also improve their comfort,” said Translink’s Acting Chief Executive, Philip O’Neill. “These additional new buses will deliver immediate benefits to existing passengers but we are also confident that they will help encourage more children to use public transport with the ultimate result of addressing the wider issue of ‘school run’ traffic congestion,” he said.
The new school buses have been allocated on the basis of need and where they can make the most impact. The initial order of 110 vehicles will be in place by the end of the year with the remaining 50 in place for spring 2008.
The investment in the new fleet was made possible following the allocation by DRD last autumn of £37million across the school bus network. Translink’s new buses 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.
Ends
For further media information please contact Dana McCusker / Geoff McGimpsey at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837 / 0777 333 6249. 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.
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).
Home | Journey Planner | Timetables | Fares | Travel Advice | About Us | News | Jobs | Feedback | Links | Environment | Contact Us | FOI | Visitors | Park and Ride | Privacy Statement | Sitemap
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Stumbleupon