· Parents concerned for their children travelling on school buses
· Students forced to stand during bus trips at highway speed
· Government must introduce more buses on school runs
Peter Gutwein is failing to address health and safety concerns for children travelling on school buses in Tasmania’s North West.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Shane Broad, said parents have expressed concerns about the lack of buses on the school run and the large number of children forced to stand during bus trips, particularly on the Ulverstone to Burnie run.
“The Premier has stressed on multiple occasions the need for Tasmanians to continue to be vigilant in exercising social distancing – that means keeping 1.5m away from other people and avoiding confined spaces, but it appears that advice does not extend to school buses,” Dr Broad said.
“School buses have begun filling up again as children return to school with many students forced to stand during bus trips due to overcrowding.
“Not only is it impossible for these children to practice social distancing, it is also dangerous with crowded buses travelling long distances on the highway at speeds of up to 110km/h.
“The response to these concerns from the government has been to tell parents that licencing requirements are being met and if they don’t like it, parents should find another way to get their kids to school – this is totally unacceptable.
“Clearly there are not enough buses on the school run and I am calling on the Premier to urgently increase services to reduce overcrowding and improve safety.”
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
