We, the undersigned are parents of children who catch the bus from Mackillop Catholic College to the Humpty Doo interchange at 2.50pm each afternoon. We would like to bring to your attention the URGENT need for an additional school bus to service this route and the broader need to review current school transport routes and associated timing. We bring your attention to the following:

• Everyday the safety of children who travel on this bus is placed at risk. The bus is vastly overcrowded with many children forced to stand or share three to a seat intended for two. This bus travels down the Stuart Highway and Arnhem highway next to heavy vehicles and school run traffic. An accident is likely to be deadly.

• There has been no additional investment in school transport in years[1] despite the increased population in the rural area, the growing student population of Mackillop Catholic College and Zuccoli school’s imminent opening. Planning policy that supports population growth and new schools with no corresponding investment in public transport is irresponsible and unsustainable.

• It is alleged[2] that there are no additional buses available to service the route, yet at least four buses have not moved from the Humpty Doo holding yard in the last two days[3], including during peak afternoon periods.

• We do not support the Department of Transport’s proposed ‘solution’ of running an express service to Humpty Doo exchange as it:
  • Leaves children who need to exit the bus at Coolalinga with a 1.5 hour bus trip to get to a destination that is 10 minutes from the school.
  • Creates a safety risk as it would require children to spend time at the Palmerston interchange which is decidedly unsafe
• Parents work, many of our children work after school, others look after younger siblings and they ALL have a right to safe and timely travel between school and home – even if they live and work in the rural area!

• Timing of the service requires children to miss out on at least 20 minutes of school each day because the bus leaves 15 minutes prior to the end of the school day. In spite of the school campaigning for 5 years, including a failed attempt to work with the Department to facilitate an earlier start to the day, no solution has been found. The Department of Transport is dictating a school day that is in no way consistent with Education policy on school attendance. Children are educationally disadvantaged as a result – 20 minutes missed school per day = over 3 weeks of school per year!

We request that you address the need for an additional school bus as a matter of urgency to keep our children safe while on the bus, arrive home in a timely manner, and to allow them to spend a full school day in the classroom.

[1] According to Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics representative who attended a meeting with parents at MacKillop College on Monday 27th February 2017

[2] According to Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics representative who attended a meeting with parents at MacKillop College on Monday 27th February 2017

[3] Tuesday 28th February; Wednesday 1st March 2017