Abolition of '3 for 2' and standing on school buses

In September 2006 the former Education Minister, Maria Eagle, announced an additional £37million investment to make the school bus journey safer and more comfortable for local school pupils.  This funding will be used to introduce enhanced safety measures on dedicated school bus services across Northern Ireland.  

The first of the new safety measures to be introduced is the abolition of '3 for 2' (the practice of three children sharing a two person seat) on dedicated school buses, which takes effect from the start of the 2007/08 academic year.  To improve the safety and comfort of pupils traveling to and from school, school bus providers are no longer able to routinely use the ‘3 for 2’ seating concession on their buses .  In addition, standing on school buses will end from April 2009.  It is recognised, however, that there may be circumstances where it will be preferable to allow children to sit ‘3 for 2’ or stand on a bus rather than leave them behind, particularly where their personal safety may be at risk.  

Guidelines have been produced to avoid any misunderstandings as to when children may stand or sit ‘3 for 2’ on designated school bus services.  You can view these Guidelines at the Department of the Environment’s Road Safety website and obtain information on how to report incidents of ‘3 for 2’ and standing.