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Mildura TSV Blitz

Bus operators transporting fruit pickers found in breach of the law in Mildura

A bus operator has been nabbed during a Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) blitz in Mildura.

TSV director bus safety Stephen Turner says there is a concerning level of non-compliance with certain parts of the Victorian bus safety legislation.

“One operator was prohibited from providing a bus service and another was prohibited from moving his bus because it was not registered,” he says.

“We issued three infringement notices to people who were not registered bus operators and therefore not able to provide commercial mini-bus services.

“A further three infringement notices were issued.

“One each to two passengers sitting unrestrained on the floor of the bus because all seats were occupied and one to the driver of that bus for allowing the two passengers to sit in a part of the bus not designed to carry passengers.”

The blitz, conducted with Victoria Police, particularly looked at buses taking seasonal pickers to produce farms in the region and serves as a timely reminder for bus operators to put their safety operations into top gear.

The compliance activity in Mildura was just one of a number of similar actions TSV takes to ensure bus operators are complying with the rules and providing the safest possible bus service.

“We want operators to understand their obligations and abide by the rules,” Turner says.

“We are always available to help but, equally, we are always ready to enforce those rules if operators choose not to take notice.”

The message comes as TSV ramps up its interactions with deemed operators prior to December 31, when all deemed accreditations cease.

Operating a commercial bus service without holding accreditation under the Bus Safety Act after December 31 is an offence that incurs a large fine.

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