Tasmanian Bus Association

Media Release – March 8, 2007

TASMANIAN BUS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

The Tasmanian Bus Association is pleased to puts its name to a Code of Behaviour that will ultimately make bus travel in Tasmania safer.

Tasmanian Bus Association General Manager Geoff Lewis said the document, that identified the rules of bus travel, was a true industry code for travel on school buses.

“The code is a unique document that brings together the support of the school’s principal, bus operator, students and parents who all sign to indicate their support,” he said.

He said bus operator members of the TBA were supplied with a version of the code early last year to pilot.

“Metro successfully trialled the program in six Launceston schools last year. All the feedback we received wherever it was trialled was very positive,” he said.

“Our aim is to have all schools participating by the start of the 2008 school year.”

Mr Lewis said he first heard about a Code of Behaviour approach when a TBA member bus operator introduced something similar about six years ago following a series of misconduct problems on his bus.

“Today’s model was developed further through the Student Transport User Group of the Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources (DIER) that comprises representatives of the Parents and Friends State Council, independent and catholic schools, the bus industry and the Department of Education and DIER,” he said.

Mr Lewis said all bus operators under accreditation were required to have in place a system to deal with poor behaviour.

For further information, please contact Geoff Lewis: (03) 6423 2611 or Mark Wells: 0414 015966.