How the Queensland Bus Safety Review Could Affect Private Schools

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is asking for feedback on possible amendments to passenger transport legislation.

These amendments could affect some private schools in Queensland operating their own buses to carry children to and from school.

This opportunity to provide feedback closes at 11:59pm on Friday, 18 November 2022, so it's important to have your say here now.

what does the LAW CURRENTLY SAY?

Currently, the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 (Qld) states that all operators of public passenger services must hold "operator accreditation", and all drivers of public passenger services must hold "driver authorisation" unless an exemption applies. 

What are operator accreditation and driver authorisation?

Operator accreditation encourages the high-quality operation of public passenger services by ensuring operators comply with relevant standards. 

Whereas driver authorisation is intended to maximise public confidence by requiring drivers to be a fit and proper person to drive a passenger vehicle.   

However, the obligation to hold operator accreditation and driver authorisation currently doesn't apply to some public passenger services. These services are:

• Provided free of charge by an entity for its customers, clients, or students;
• Operated by a vehicle that is owned or leased by that entity; and
• Not available to the general community. 

While most private schools running their own buses will already hold operator accreditation and use authorised drivers, some organisations may be relying upon this exemption. Meaning they are now susceptible to a change of law. 

What could be changing?

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is considering a number of changes to legislation, including a requirement for operator accreditation and driver authorisation for all scheduled school bus services. 

More details on all the proposed changes and ways to share feedback with the Department can be found here.