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20/09/2001
DOE report into children’s transport welcomed
The recommendations of a public inquiry into Northern Ireland’s transport system for children have been broadly welcomed.
The report, undertaken by the Environment Committee, into transport used for children travelling to and from school, was published on Thursday 20 September.
One of the key recommendations calls for the abolition of standing on buses and also three-for-two seating.
The recommendations made by the inquiry would mean - if implemented - an investment of £41 million, on top of the annual £50 million already allocated to school transport arrangements.
Department of Environment (DOE) Minister, Sam Foster, said: “I wish to thank the Environment Committee for its work over the past year in preparing this report. I am pleased to say the safety record of bus transport is good in Northern Ireland.
“My department, and the Executive as a whole is committed to continuing effort to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads and to improvements in all modes of roads transport in support of this objective.”
The findings of the report will have implications for not only the DOE, but also the Departments of Regional Development, Education, Finance and Employment. Translink and the five Education and Library Boards will also be affected by any decisions the DOE will make following consideration of the inquiry’s recommendations.
The Department of Education has also welcomed the report but has maintained that far reaching recommendations contained within would require careful consideration by the department’s minister, Martin McGuinness.
The Minister for the Department of Regional Development (DRD) Gregory Campbell said: “As sponsors of Translink, the largest provider of school bus services in Northern Ireland, the DRD will be giving careful consideration to the wide-ranging findings of the committee.
“The Committee has made many wide-ranging recommendations which have potential implications for the financing of public transport and the way in which bus services are delivered, particularly in rural areas.” (AMcE)
The report, undertaken by the Environment Committee, into transport used for children travelling to and from school, was published on Thursday 20 September.
One of the key recommendations calls for the abolition of standing on buses and also three-for-two seating.
The recommendations made by the inquiry would mean - if implemented - an investment of £41 million, on top of the annual £50 million already allocated to school transport arrangements.
Department of Environment (DOE) Minister, Sam Foster, said: “I wish to thank the Environment Committee for its work over the past year in preparing this report. I am pleased to say the safety record of bus transport is good in Northern Ireland.
“My department, and the Executive as a whole is committed to continuing effort to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads and to improvements in all modes of roads transport in support of this objective.”
The findings of the report will have implications for not only the DOE, but also the Departments of Regional Development, Education, Finance and Employment. Translink and the five Education and Library Boards will also be affected by any decisions the DOE will make following consideration of the inquiry’s recommendations.
The Department of Education has also welcomed the report but has maintained that far reaching recommendations contained within would require careful consideration by the department’s minister, Martin McGuinness.
The Minister for the Department of Regional Development (DRD) Gregory Campbell said: “As sponsors of Translink, the largest provider of school bus services in Northern Ireland, the DRD will be giving careful consideration to the wide-ranging findings of the committee.
“The Committee has made many wide-ranging recommendations which have potential implications for the financing of public transport and the way in which bus services are delivered, particularly in rural areas.” (AMcE)
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