Parliamentary Replies
Criteria for Appointment of School Bus Operators
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Er Lee Bee Wah, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education what are the criteria used by schools to appoint bus operators to transport students.
Response
The safety and well-being of pupils have always been the top priority when schools select school bus operators. Schools are guided by the following criteria in the selection of school bus operators:
Firstly, schools will select operators who comply with all safety measures as stipulated by LTA for the safe transportation of pupils. These safety measures require the operators to ensure that there is no overcrowding and no standing passengers on the bus. These operators are to provide bus drivers who would adhere to the speed limit of 60 km/h. They will also have to ensure that their buses that are less than 10 years old pass the compulsory annual inspections while those that are more than 10 years old pass the half-yearly inspections.
Schools also require a bus attendant be provided for each bus with more than 30 seating capacity. The bus attendant would oversee orderly behaviour by pupils and that safety measures are adhered to by pupils. They also assist pupils in embarking and alighting from the bus.
Schools also select bus operators on the basis that they are able to provide the necessary services to the school in terms of number of buses, area of coverage, proposed route plan, pick-up and drop-off time and other operation services as required by the schools.
Selection is also based on the charges offered at competitive prices that can best serve the pupils and schools.
Lastly, schools consider the track record of the operators. Parents’ feedback and school’s assessment of service provided will be noted for continuation of services.