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Lovell airs concerns about safety of crowded buses

By Darren Linton

Feb 23, 2022

Worries voiced: Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell says students should not have to stand for long journeys in overcrowded buses. Photo by AAP Image

Victorian Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll has been urged to intervene to prevent overcrowding on school buses.

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Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said in one case reported to her office students had had to stand for a 25km journey.

In a constituency question directed to Mr Carroll, Ms Lovell said a Katandra West child travelled to school each day on a bus carrying more than 70 students, despite the bus being licensed to carry 54 passengers.

Ms Lovell said it was concerning that Greater Shepparton students were forced to stand in a bus at any time, let alone during a twice-a-day 25km journey.

“Running buses of over 70 students on a 54-seat school bus is totally unacceptable and is compromising the safety of the children who use Greater Shepparton School Bus Program,” she said.

“Not only is the practice a safety hazard, it also makes it impossible for students to social distance in order to minimise possible infection from any further COVID-19 variants and I urge the minister to increase school bus services to make our children safe.”

Ms Lovell asked Mr Carroll to order an increase in bus services for the local School Bus Program to improve safety for all school students.