“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Transport and Main Roads and all other relevant departments to adopt financial payment parameters that are fair for the viability of isolated and remote school bus runs, given the introduction of electronic tagging of school buses and passengers, and fluctuations in remote school student numbers.”
The introduction of electronic tagging of buses and children, while brilliant for the peace of mind of many, has raised some concerns for remote and isolated bus run owners. The foremost concern is the reduction in per kilometre payments when children are not on the bus due to wet weather, town appointments, sports carnivals etc.
Isolated bus runs are a business that needs to be remunerated so they are viable to maintain the security of services in rural and remote areas, such as a minimum per km retainer, despite the daily fluctuations in passenger numbers. In the longer term as rural and remote areas by nature fluctuate in the number of students from the generations and new families coming into district, bus routes need to be easily extended to accommodate these fluctuations. The threat of permanently losing bus runs, when there is only a year or two between the next generation coming of school age is a constant concern. In these rural and remote areas, bus operators are often forced to leave the community for supplementary income to maintain their buses and upgrade them.
