Bus system needs urgent reform

SCHOOLS should be safe spaces for our young people to learn, grow and thrive. That sense of safety should extend from the classroom to the journey to and from school.

Recently, school transport has become one of the most frequently raised concerns in my office, shared by parents and school leaders across both public and independent schools.

We have heard consistent reports from families connected to St Joseph’s College, Western Heights, Clonard College, Belmont High School and North Geelong Secondary College regarding significant overcrowding and service pressures on school bus routes.

Reports indicate that, on some services, large numbers of students are standing while buses travel at highway speeds on major roads. This is understandably causing concern within our community.

As Mayor, and as a parent and grandparent, I believe we must address these issues before a serious incident occurs. We should rest assured knowing our young people are getting to and from school in the safest way possible.

Greater Geelong region is one of Victoria’s fastest growing regions. With an additional 135,000 residents forecast by 2046, our public transport system must keep pace with growth, particularly where student safety is concerned.

It is clear the current system is not designed to handle today’s demand, and I am concerned that the current process for addressing transport issues requires urgent review.

If the existing network cannot safely meet the needs of students now, it is reasonable to ask how the Victorian Government expects our region to meet future population and housing targets.

I have written to the Victorian Minister for Public Transport outlining the concerns raised locally and requesting a review of the current processes for assessing and adjusting school bus services in our region.

At present, schools are required to negotiate directly with private operators before seeking approval and funding through the Department of Transport. Feedback from schools suggests this process can be slow and lacks transparency.

Where student safety is involved, responsiveness matters.

I welcome the Victorian government’s announcement that a bus network review will commence across the Greater Geelong in the coming weeks. This is an important step.

However, it is essential that the review leads to timely, practical outcomes that address current demand, not just future planning projections.

We do not want to wait for an avoidable incident to trigger reform. Prevention must be our priority.

The City of Greater Geelong is committed to supporting all levels of government to develop an effective solution to this critical issue and it will continue advocating on behalf of the needs of our community.

We must work together to ensure that our region’s students can enjoy all that their schooling years have to offer, in the safest way possible.

Cr Stretch Kontelj

Mayor, City of Greater Geelong