School Transport Safety Task Force 

Contact Details:
Telephone:  (07) 3253 4393
Facsimile:   (07) 3253 4388
Email:         schooltransportsafety@qut.edu.au

School Transport Safety Issues

The issue of school bus safety in Queensland was raised by a number of individuals and associations last year, and particularly in the lead up to the recent state election.

One of the State Government’s election commitments was the establishment of an independent School Transport Safety Task Force to investigate the issue of the safety of children travelling to and from school in Queensland. 

Members on Task Force are from the following organizations:

• Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations

• Catholic Education Commission

• Education Queensland

• Queensland Transport

• Queensland Bus Industry Council

• Brisbane Transport

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

• Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - 
  Queensland (CARRS-Q) [QUT]

The Task Force is being chaired by Dr Cherrell Hirst, Chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology.

The terms of reference of the Task Force are:

1.       Review current research on school transport safety, including the outcomes of recent studies and the effectiveness of current school transport safety programs.
2.       Prepare an interim report analysing international, national and interstate policies and  practices relating to school transport, including the use of seat belts on school buses.
3.       Consult with stakeholders and community groups and invite public submissions.
4.       Make recommendations to Government within six months on priorities for ensuring the safety of children travelling to and from school and implications for government and the community.

Public Comments

School Transport Safety is an important road safety issue with significant impact in the community.  Therefore, the Task Force is inviting comments from members of the public and interested parties on the overview of research and practice.

Comments should be forwarded by 17 August 2001 to:

Chairperson
School Transport Safety Task Force
PO Box 238
Fortitude Valley  Qld  4006

Or emailed to schooltransportsafety@qut.edu.au.

Submissions made to the Task Force will be treated as public documents unless the Task Force determines that confidentiality is required.  Requests for confidentiality should be clearly marked.

Enquiries may be directed to the Research Officer:  Telephone (07) 3253 4393

Facsimile (07) 3253 4388 or emailed on schooltransportsafety@qut.edu.au.

School Transport Safety Fact Sheets

>  School bus services
> Operating conditions for school buses
> School Transport Assistance Scheme
> School bus fleet profile and student numbers
> Bus safety engineering issues
> Queensland school transport crash statistics
> SafeST (Safe School Travel) package
> New bus initiatives

Link to Queensland Transport web site (click here).

Total Hits Since 15/5/01: 6856

Fact Sheet 2
Operating Conditions
for School Buses