Regional School Kids Now Safer on the Bus

Kids catching the bus to school in Tamaree and Maryborough, and over 20 other regional centres, are set to benefit from the Federal Government's Seatbelts for Kids initiative.

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said the Government will deliver a further $488,000 to 23 regional operators to upgrade 29 more eligible buses in round nine of the program.

“Nearly half a million dollars will be provided to bus operators in the latest round of this program to improve safety on regional school buses,” Ms King said.

“This takes the total number of buses with seatbelts fitted under the Seatbelts for Kids initiative to over 250, transporting thousands of children safely to school in regional centres each week day,” she said.

Under the program, operators of bus services on a recognised rural and regional school bus route applied for up to $25,000 to have seatbelts installed in new buses or retrofitted in existing ones.

Over $4.1 million has been provided by the Government over 5 years to install seatbelts and improve safety for kids on school buses travelling on regional roads.

The program aims to encourage operators of buses on high risk routes who can run their bus routes with buses equipped with seatbelts, to do so.

“What is encouraging is the amount of community support and encouragement we are hearing from operators.” Ms King said.

“The Government is committed to working with business and industry to provide safer roads and safe vehicles for the Australian communities.

“Seatbelts for Kids is part of the Australian Government's contribution to the National Road Safety Strategy, aiming to reduce death and serious injuries on our roads,” Ms King said.

**regions that will receive funding are shown below**