PRESS RELEASE
Bus industry launches national safety education program
BusSAFE school program supports most vulnerable road users
Download this release as a PDF.
BusSAFE, a national bus safety education program, was launched on Tuesday September 17th at the National Bus and Coach Show, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Ensuring safety is a key part of our shared mission in the bus industry” said Craig Spurr, BusSA Executive Director.
“Whilst buses are one of the safest modes of transportation for getting children to and from school, a tragic fatality in regional SA in 2021, alongside other incidents involving school buses, demonstrated the need for a wider industry-led response to help improve student safety in and around buses.”
On the back of a successful three-year pilot in South Australia where over 5000 students a year attended a BusSAFE session, the bus industry is now extending the program trial to Queensland and Tasmania in conjunction with State Government Departments and local bus operators. This will begin with school pilots from Term 4, 2024 and broader trial in these states for the full duration of the 2025 school year.
During the national trial, BusSAFE sessions are free for rural or regional public schools and can also be arranged for private schools.
The BusSAFE program is underpinned by road safety research and aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Safety passionate presenters with bus industry experience deliver in-school sessions across years Foundation to 9.
Key messages of BusSAFE sessions include guidelines for safe, respectful bus stop and on-board behaviour. Students are taught strategies for safe seatbelt, headphone and phone use and are shown what to do in an emergency.
“Empowering students with knowledge and skills to help keep themselves and others safe is an investment in the future. Promoting a life-long safety mindset will also contribute to the ongoing safety of our drivers” said Mr Spurr.
BusSAFE acknowledges the ongoing commitment and support from the Bus Australia Network, Government of South Australia and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said the NHVR is pleased to support the BusSAFE program, a student safety education initiative being led by the wider bus industry.
“Funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), this bus safety education program demonstrates industry’s commitment to child, passenger and driver safety at community level,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“The NHVR is committed to supporting critical programs such as BusSAFE through our HVSI program, that are promoting safer roads and safer drivers, now and into the future.”
BusSAFE is poised for further national expansion beyond the trial phase.
For more information visit www.bussafe.com.au or contact info@bussafe.com.au
Photos: Peter Cabral