Geelong’s mayor has called on the state government to address a “systemic failure” in ensuring the region’s students are able to safely travel to school by bus.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj released the statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying school transport “failures” were “one of the most frequently raised issues” he encountered among “parents and school leaders across both public and independent schools”.
“In recent weeks St Joseph’s College, Western Heights, Clonard College, Belmont High School and North Geelong Secondary College have expressed concerns publicly about severe overcrowding, safety risks and significant service deficiencies,” he said.
“The concerns raised are consistent and increasingly urgent: severe overcrowding, capacity shortfalls, buses unable to service key growth areas, inadequate timetabling, and a system so complex and outdated that schools are unable to navigate it effectively.
“These are not isolated incidents; they reflect a systemic failure to meet the basic expectation that children can travel safely to and from school.”
Mayor Kontelj said parents and staff had reported situations where more than 20 students stood in bus aisles while the vehicle was travelling at up to 100km/h on highways and major roads.
He said such situations could not be “considered compliant with modern safety guidelines or risk frameworks”, while the processes around addressing such issues were “outdated and unworkable”.
“Schools are required to negotiate individually with multiple private bus operators to request additional capacity or service adjustments, and then seek approval and funding through the Department of Transport – a process that is often slow, unclear and inconsistent,” he said.
“Ensuring safe and accessible school transport requires strong cooperation across government, and there is an opportunity to strengthen alignment between the Department of Transport and the Department of Education so that planning, capacity responses and safety considerations reflect the day-to-day realities of school communities.
“A more coordinated and collaborative model, with both departments working closely together, would provide clarity for schools and help ensure decisions are made with student safety and accessibility at the centre.
“Our region has already experienced the trauma and far-reaching consequences of serious bus incidents. We must do everything possible to prevent further harm, and current conditions do not provide confidence that risks are being adequately managed.”
Mayor Kontelj said the City of Greater Geelong was committed to addressing the issues and would willingly work with the state government to bring together key stakeholders to find a way forward.
