Regional bus operators could get up to $25,000 per bus to install seatbelts, according to the Federal Government
May 11, 2012
Regional bus operators could get up to $25,000 per bus to install seatbelts, according to the Federal Government.
The hand-out is part of $4 million dollar plan announced May 8 to extend the Seatbelts for Regional School Buses program for another four years.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the funding will go towards making regional and rural roads safer.
“The Seatbelts on Regional School Buses program is about increasing the number of school buses equipped with seatbelts for students in rural and regional communities, where buses travel on routes that may be hazardous or involve high speeds,” Albanese says.
Funding has already been delivered to fit more than 280 buses with seat belts under the program.
Albanese says the additional $4 million ensures more rural and regional bus operators will have the opportunity to secure funding.
“We encourage local schools and communities to get behind this program and urge their local bus operators to apply for funding once applications are called,” he says.
“School bus safety is one of the priority areas identified for attention in the National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020 and this program is one way we are working to address this issue.”
Applications for the next round of Seatbelts on Regional School Buses are expected to open in July this year.