ENVIRONMENT minister Peter Sirett has come under attack from his predecessor for not taking seriously the issue of overcrowding on school buses.
David De Lisle said he had been taken aback by ‘irresponsible comments’ of Deputy Sirett regarding children’s safety. During question time in the States, Deputy Sirett said overcrowding on school buses was a sign of success.
He said it was a sign that the traffic strategy was working. Deputy De Lisle said the minister’s comments belittled complaints from parents and teachers that safety was not being taken seriously.
‘There is an obligation on the States to make school transport safer,’ he said. ‘It’s just not good enough to shrug off the issue when more children are being driven onto buses as schools shut and children are consolidated into larger schools.’
The entire fleet of buses and available drivers are being used to provide school and scheduled services.
Environment said that congestion should be eased when the winter timetable comes into effect on Wednesday.
This might reassure parents of Year 7 Grammar School children who are being left behind.
Environment said it was aware, and extremely pleased, that demand for school bus services had risen.
‘Unfortunately that has meant that on occasions small numbers of students have not been able to board the bus,’ said a spokesman.
Changes have recently been made to UK regulations with regard to school buses due to concerns from the public.
Among these are that three children cannot share a two-person seat and no standing is permitted.
Deputy De Lisle said less ambiguous regulations locally regarding the use of school buses was needed.
‘Every child should have a seat,’ he said. ‘They also need to introduce a code of conduct for behaviour on buses. There should be better supervision of pupils on board and dedicated buses for school children.’
He said the department also needed to look at better signage and lighting for children getting onto and off buses.
Environment is liaising with Education and Island Coachways to resolve ‘minor difficulties that are being experienced’.
Varying demand and limited resources have meant an immediate response is not always available when buses are full, an Environment spokesman said.
‘Sufficient resources do not exist to have a dedicated service for every student who wishes to travel by bus and hence, where appropriate, the department integrates and/or supplements school services with scheduled services,’ he said.
Before the start of the school year, parents were asked if their children would be using the bus.
In the course of the term, schools advise Island Coachways or Environment of any difficulties they might be experiencing.
Article posted on 29th September, 2008 - 2.30pm
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