A program that has fitted out more than 2500 dedicated school buses with seatbelts will be extended to selected school routes throughout the Hunter region keeping more kids safe when travelling to school.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government announced in March that all dedicated school buses on rural and regional bus contracts in NSW had been fitted with seatbelts, two years ahead of schedule, as part of the $237 million NSW Rural and Regional Bus Seatbelt Program.
“This program has already ensured a safer trip to and from school for more than 200,000 students who often travel long distances on dirt roads,” Mr Farraway said.
"That is why we are now extending the seatbelt program to 100 school buses in the Cessnock, Singleton, Maitland and Port Stephens areas following considered analysis of roads with higher risk ratings.
“This will deliver improved safety for school buses travelling long distances on unsealed roads and on roads outside urban areas with a speed limit of 80km/h and above.
“And of course, it will give parents more comfort knowing their kids are better protected when travelling to school.”
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said school student safety is a priority and the fitting of seatbelts on more school buses will save lives.
“In March we announced that more than 2500 school buses in rural and regional areas had been fitted with seatbelts,” Mr Layzell said.
“In the Upper Hunter Electorate that included 37 new buses which had seatbelts installed whilst a further 35 existing school buses were retrofitted with seatbelts.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for rural and regional families as it will deliver improved safety for school students travelling on school buses.”
For more information on the program, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/buses-and-coaches/rural-and-regional-seatbelt-program-taskforce
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