QBIC emphasises importance of strengthening safety measures

Queensland has experienced some 15 serious bus crashes in the past 12 months, with the most tragic being the recent accident in Gumlu on June 30, where three lives were lost. QBIC and the entire bus industry extend their deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the first responders affected by this devastating event. 

Bus and road safety are intrinsically linked, and QBIC applauds the efforts of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) through campaigns like “We Need Space” and “Don’t #uck with a Truck.” These campaigns emphasise crucial safety messages regarding the interaction with heavy vehicles, benefiting all road users.

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Currently, the Queensland Government and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) are implementing changes to the Passenger Transport Legislation through the introduction of Safety Duties. 

The Explanatory Notes to the bill highlight that “the current prescriptive requirements applying to non-personalised transport services may not encompass the full breadth of potential hazards and risks.” 

They also state that “a prescriptive approach may not effectively anticipate or manage emerging safety risks associated with rapidly changing vehicle technology (and fuels) and emerging passenger transport service models.” 

This is notable given vehicle technology and fuel standards are typically a federal government responsibility, implying that approved and registered vehicles should be considered known entities and low risk.

The industry currently faces many contentious issues however the most contentious issues: school bus seatbelts, vehicle life / frame inspections, and passenger standards are forefront in the mind of all operators. These issues significantly impact service provision and costs for government-contracted operators and the standard of safety offered to the public and school children. At a time when concerns over the rising road toll are prominent from all sectors including the Government, it is crucial not to compromise on safety or service standards.

The Government and TMR have a primary duty under the NHVR Chain of Responsibility as the principal contractor but seem to be grappling with its dual role as a regulator and principal contractor. This is best seen under current state-based legislation, where the Government have exempted TMR from their own Safety Duties. This seems at odds with other safety legislation where both NHVR and WHS Qld safety duties ensure that Government at all levels are held accountable and not excluded from respective jurisdiction coverage.   

Queensland has been a national leader in fleet safety and management, a status achieved through its proactive prescriptive response to past fatal bus accidents. The state boasts the youngest bus fleet in the country, equipped with advanced safety features and improved environmental impacts, a testament to the lessons learned and the actions taken to mitigate risks as much as possible.

As the Queensland Government and TMR move forward with these legislative and regulatory changes, QBIC emphasizes the importance of maintaining high safety standards and providing adequate financial resources to bus operators to ensure the continuation of a high standard. Ensuring that these safety duty measures are practical and economically supported is essential for the continued safety and reliability of passenger transport services in Queensland and don’t result in a backward step in safety for passengers and school children.