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And to help achieve the new safety standard, the Government will fork out $35 million to defray the cost of retrofitting the small buses with seat belts. Between $3,000 and $8,000 will be allocated for each bus. Operators can also use the financial assistance to replace their small buses with larger ones.
From April next year, all new small buses that carry up to 15 passengers will also need to be fitted with three-point seat belts.
Even with the Government’s financial assistance, the SingaporeSchool Transport Association (SSTA) was non-committal when asked if there would be fare hikes resulting from the new requirement. Previous media reports had quoted school bus operators as saying parents could face fare hikes of up to 50 per cent.
While he was “surprised” by the Government’s financial assistance, SSTA president Wong Ann Lin said it was too early to say if fares would be raised due to the reduction of capacity. With seat belts fitted, about one out of every two small school buses here would suffer a capacity reduction of one third – from seating 15 children to only 10, translating into an estimated $500 loss in income per month for the operator. At present, three children are allowed in seats meant for two adults.
Primary schools Today spoke to said any fare increase would have to be approved by their principals.
But with other cost increases - such as insurance and fuel prices - Mr Wong said some small bus operators might stop driving altogether if they suffer additional cost pressures.
Parent Malcolm Choi is relieved that seat belts are finally made mandatory.
“Inevitably, there will be some cost challenges,” he said. “But parents could look on the brighter side that with a lower bus capacity, children could arrive home faster and safer.”
Accountant Corrine Ang does not mind paying extra as long as her 9-year-old son is safe, she told Today.
There was a consensus among stakeholders that safety of children in small buses is “of paramount importance”, said Senior Minister of State (Finance and Transport) Mrs Lim Hwee Hua yesterday. According to a study by international consultants and safety experts Hall and Associates – commissioned by the LTA - small buses pose the most serious bus safety challenge here.
While there were no reported cases of children killed or seriously injured while travelling in a school bus from 2001 to 2007, there have been two such accidents this year – including one that killed an eight-year-old.
Beginning next month, small bus operators can drive into Land Transport Authority (LTA)-appointed workshops to retrofit their vehicle. LTA said priority in retrofitting would be given to existing fleet of school buses. Those small bus operators who do so by the end of next year stand to gain basic assistance of $4,000 and an additional amount of $3,000. Those that ferry children under eight years old will get another $1,000.
The LTA will also work with the Ministry of Education and schools to inform and educate students on the importance of wearing seat belts. It will also work with Traffic Police to enforce the rule.