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5. Safe school bus routes

Safe school bus routes

The Safe School Bus Routes Program was developed during 1996–97, in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. As part of the program, a team conducts an on-site review of school bus routes identified as having potential safety concerns. Once the on-site reviews have been conducted, recommendations for improving the safety of the route are submitted to the road authority. Further consultation helps to prioritise recommendations.

Once an agreement has been reached with the road authority, the recommendations agreed are funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and implemented by the road authority.

Reviews have been conducted throughout Queensland from the New South Wales border to Cooktown and as far west as Longreach.

Bus routes with potential safety concerns are nominated based on factors including:

• the type of road surface (for example, bitumen, dirt or gravel)
• the condition of the road surface
• the width and condition of road shoulders
• the steepness of the route
• the presence of standing passengers 
• the geometry of the route
• the speed limit on the route
• traffic volume on the route
• the percentage of heavy vehicles on the route
• safe pick-up and set-down areas on the route
• the suitability of the bus for the particular route.

School communities should contact their local road safety advisor for more information about the Safe School Bus Routes Program.