Sandy has continued her efforts since 2018 to see more seatbelts fitted on school buses in response to resident concerns including a Question on Notice in Parliament, letters and meetings with different Ministers for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) over this time. With a new government in place after the 2024 October State Election, Sandy raised this with the new minister and in response the following update in italics was provided. In summary, it outlines a funding stream to fit seatbelts on older buses.
As part of our commitment to passenger safety, TMR provides funding under the School Bus Upgrade Scheme (SchoolBUS) to eligible school bus service providers to assist with the purchase of new buses or buses that are less than five years old. The objective of SchoolBUS is to replace school buses that are used on a government contracted school service before they reach their maximum operating age. While the Australian Design Rules which govern Queensland bus design do not require passenger seatbelts to be fitted in school buses, many buses now come with seatbelts fitted as standard.
SchoolBUS funds up to 100 per cent of the cost of seatbelts on high floor buses and minibuses for dedicated school services carrying STAS eligible students only, with the funding amount determined according to current processes and business rules on a case-by-case basis.
Currently, 88 per cent of buses funded through SchoolBUS over the past five years have seatbelts fitted, with the majority of these seatbelts being fully funded by TMR under the current SchoolBUS funding cap.
TMR can advise that currently there are 64 school buses providing Prescribed School Service Contract school bus services in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast area. These buses do not include Urban or Regional Urban contracted bus services. Of these, there have been 30 new school buses funded over the last five years under the School Bus Upgrade Scheme, with all having seatbelts fitted.
To inform our ongoing advocacy, we would appreciate any feedback from Noosa electorate residents on the above information via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Further information
Direct advocacy to state government regarding seatbelts on school buses can be emailed to the Minster for TMR via transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive.
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