Call made for school transport safety review

The NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) in partnership with the Consumer Council, has today called for immediate action to bring to an end the hazardous journeys to and from school, faced by many children and young people.

The comments were made at the launch of a new report, entitled, ‘Safer Journeys to School,’ which was partly funded by NICCY, the Department of Regional Development and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

The report was compiled by the University of Ulster, who carried out their research by speaking with a number of school children and their parents, to gain their thoughts on the school transport system.

Barney McNeany, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, today said: “Children told us their concerns, worries and feelings about travelling each day to and from school. It is clear that they do not feel safe.”

The university's research has prompted nine key recommendations including abolishing the so-called ‘three for two’ rule, which means three children can sit in a bus seat designed for two people.

The report also highlights parents concerns regarding the lack of seatbelts provided on school transport.

NICCY and the Consumer Council have stated that they recognise these concerns and have called for the agencies involved to address the issues.

The Commissioner continued: “The report authors believe it is time for a serious review of school transport, including the costs of operating the current system.

“We know there are many examples of good innovative practice out there already that can be adopted quickly across more schools to make immediate safety improvements.”

Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “We urgently need to sign up to the creation of a safe, secure and enjoyable environment for young people to travel to and from school. Their experiences of public transport today will influence their travel choices tomorrow."

She added: "The debate must move on from the costs and complexities of delivering safer school journeys to the benefits and opportunities to increase use of sustainable transport options in the future including buses, cycling and walking.”

Acting Head of the Transportation Unit, Ronnie Wilson, at the Department for Regional Development, suggested that schools participating in the Safer Routes to Schools Initiative were increasingly choosing, to walk, cycle or car share on the school run.

He said: “This generated a reduction in congestion around schools and enabled children and young people improve their general fitness levels and make a contribution to more sustainable travel."

(EF/SP)