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.