❓ Question regarding the safety and cost-effectiveness of using older buses for rural school transport, focusing on a specific bus with reported defects and breakdowns. The Minister's answer defends the current policy, stating buses are inspected and used in specific circumstances.
AnsweredQoN 1270Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 November 2001
Member
Portfolio
Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that, in recent times, the Department of Transport has attempted to reduce the cost of rural school bus services by allowing contractors to use buses that are up to 20 years old?
(2) Will the Minister provide an estimate of the actual savings made by the Government by relaxing the previous maximum age limits of 10 years for a small bus and 15 years for a large bus?
(3) How many large school buses in Western Australia, older than 15 years, are operating at present?
(4) Is the Minister aware that a school bus currently servicing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton area -
(a) failed its initial police inspection in Busselton and was then taken to Margaret River for a second inspection;
(b) prior to this bus commencing its Gnarabup to Margaret River service last year, it required a new engine and other repairs to allow it to commence this service;
(c) in recent months, this bus broke down on one of its normal Eagle Bay to Busselton runs due to a broken tail shaft, blocking all traffic when it stopped on a narrow bridge and had to be towed away before traffic could use that road again; and
(d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
(5) What is the age of this Eagle Bay to Busselton bus?
(6) If the Minister is concerned about the safety of children who are forced to travel on buses of this age, will the Minister either return to the previous policy of 10 and 15 year age limits or will she require that Departmental staff strictly undertake bus inspections and require all buses, regardless of their age, to be safe and reliable?
(2) Will the Minister provide an estimate of the actual savings made by the Government by relaxing the previous maximum age limits of 10 years for a small bus and 15 years for a large bus?
(3) How many large school buses in Western Australia, older than 15 years, are operating at present?
(4) Is the Minister aware that a school bus currently servicing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton area -
(a) failed its initial police inspection in Busselton and was then taken to Margaret River for a second inspection;
(b) prior to this bus commencing its Gnarabup to Margaret River service last year, it required a new engine and other repairs to allow it to commence this service;
(c) in recent months, this bus broke down on one of its normal Eagle Bay to Busselton runs due to a broken tail shaft, blocking all traffic when it stopped on a narrow bridge and had to be towed away before traffic could use that road again; and
(d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
(5) What is the age of this Eagle Bay to Busselton bus?
(6) If the Minister is concerned about the safety of children who are forced to travel on buses of this age, will the Minister either return to the previous policy of 10 and 15 year age limits or will she require that Departmental staff strictly undertake bus inspections and require all buses, regardless of their age, to be safe and reliable?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 February 2002
Responded by
Minister assisting the Minister for Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
97 days
(b) prior to this bus commencing its Gnarabup to Margaret River service last year, it required a new engine and other repairs to allow it to commence this service; (c) in recent months, this bus broke down on one of its normal Eagle Bay to Busselton runs due to a broken tail shaft, blocking all traffic when it stopped on a narrow bridge and had to be towed away before traffic could use that road again; and (d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
(c) in recent months, this bus broke down on one of its normal Eagle Bay to Busselton runs due to a broken tail shaft, blocking all traffic when it stopped on a narrow bridge and had to be towed away before traffic could use that road again; and (d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
(d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
Government Contracted School Bus Services The DPI permits the use of government contracted school buses up to 5 years beyond their age limits under specific criteria only. School buses older than the 10 years limit (for type A bus) and 15 years limit (for type B and C buses) are allowed to be used for the purposes of maintaining services that have a finite life span or in special short term circumstances. For example, a service contract may be extended by one school term and thus an older bus may be used instead of requiring the contractor to purchase a newer bus to provide that short term service, at great expense to the contractor and the DPI. Dunsborough Student Transport Zone (STZ) The service contract awarded from the start of school term 3, 2001 for the Dunsborough STZ provides for the operation of type A buses up to 15 years old and type B and C buses up to 20 years old. Prior to the awarding of the Dunsborough STZ contract these services were operated under Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) status and there were no age limitations placed on the buses providing these services. Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) Services No age limit on life of bus. The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) Services No age limit on life of bus. The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(c) in recent months, this bus broke down on one of its normal Eagle Bay to Busselton runs due to a broken tail shaft, blocking all traffic when it stopped on a narrow bridge and had to be towed away before traffic could use that road again; and (d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
(d) has had the following defects reported: inoperative hazard warning lights, speedometer and windscreen wipers?
Government Contracted School Bus Services The DPI permits the use of government contracted school buses up to 5 years beyond their age limits under specific criteria only. School buses older than the 10 years limit (for type A bus) and 15 years limit (for type B and C buses) are allowed to be used for the purposes of maintaining services that have a finite life span or in special short term circumstances. For example, a service contract may be extended by one school term and thus an older bus may be used instead of requiring the contractor to purchase a newer bus to provide that short term service, at great expense to the contractor and the DPI. Dunsborough Student Transport Zone (STZ) The service contract awarded from the start of school term 3, 2001 for the Dunsborough STZ provides for the operation of type A buses up to 15 years old and type B and C buses up to 20 years old. Prior to the awarding of the Dunsborough STZ contract these services were operated under Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) status and there were no age limitations placed on the buses providing these services. Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) Services No age limit on life of bus. The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) Services No age limit on life of bus. The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
The broad principles in allowing buses to exceed replacement limits are that they will generally only be run at low speeds, over short distances and on bitumen roads. Like all other commercial buses, they must be legally roadworthy and comply with prescribed maintenance standards. (2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(2) There are no savings recorded as a result of allowing buses to exceed their replacement age. For contracted school buses, the practice is simply used where contract services are extended for short term periods or services are short in duration. (3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(3) There are currently eight school buses operating beyond their replacement age: · three government contracted (orange and green) school buses - two in the Pinjarra area and one in Margaret River; and · five regular passenger school services in the Dunsborough STZ. (4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(a) No. The vehicle providing the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service is in the Dunsborough STZ and is licensed as an omnibus under the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966. The operator provided a vehicle maintenance program to the DPI under the requirements of the Omnibus Operator Standards Scheme. A local Authorised Inspection Station inspects the vehicle once per year. If the Member is insinuating that there were irregularities in relation to the initial inspection of this bus, then I would ask that full details be passed on to the DPI for investigation. (4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(b) No. However, It would be common practice for a contractor to undertake repairs on a bus before commencing a service. (4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(c) The DPI is aware that this vehicle broke down. Responding to a letter of complaint, an inspector from the Passenger Transport Branch of the DPI visited the operator and inspected the operator’s fleet of buses. All vehicles at the time were found to be roadworthy. However, a formal caution was issued as certain aspects of the operator’s maintenance program were not to the required standard. (4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(4)(d) No. Refer (4)(c). (5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(5) The age of the bus conducting the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service in the Dunsborough STZ is 18 years old. (6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
(6) All commercial buses, regardless of age, operating under the standards prescribed either for dedicated school bus operations or RPT services, which includes buses in the Dunsborough STZ, must be legally roadworthy and are subject to an inspection regime. The maintenance standards of Dunsborough STZ buses, and particularly the vehicle being used on the Eagle Bay/Dunsborough/Busselton service, will be closely monitored to ensure compliance.
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