About the Board



TRANSPORT

 

Introduction

The South Eastern Education and Library Board provides assistance for parents or guardians with regard to home to school transport for their children

The Board’s area of responsibility lies with those eligible pupils who reside within the Down, Ards, Bangor, and Castlereagh District Councils and Lisburn City Council.

The Transport Unit of the Board organises transport for 18,500 children on a daily basis. Transport assistance is provided as follows:-

  • Public Transport i.e. Ulsterbus, Metro, Northern Ireland Railways
  • Board Buses
  • Private Operators i.e. taxi services, contract buses
  • Private travel allowance not to exceed the cost of public transport

In addition to Home to School Transport the Unit provides:

  • A School Crossing Patrol Service
  • Transport for Board affiliated Youth Groups
  • Transport to Music Venues organised by the Board
  • Meals Delivery Service to Schools
  • Swimming Programmes for Schools
  • Transport for School outings
  • Minibus Driving Assessment for Board Employees

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This page last updated May 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT

Application process

Application forms may be downloaded and when fully completed, including relevant signatures of school Principals, may be forwarded to the Transport Unit of the SEELB


Pupils transferring to post primary education will receive  application forms  with their transfer papers.


Pupils entering Primary Schools will receive an  application form  from the school principal. A leaflet explaining transport eligibility for primary school pupils is also available from the school, the Board or in the Transport Publications section of this website.


If transport is an issue when choosing schools it is essential that parents read the criteria laid down in the Transfer booklet which is issued to all parents. Transport Regulations can also be found in the Department of Education Transport Circular 1996/41.

 


Pupils entering Colleges of Further Education
To qualify for transport assistance further education students must fulfil the following criteria:

  • The student must be enrolled in a course that is advertised in the College Prospectus as a full time course
  • The student must not be enrolled on a course that is eligible for a student loan
  • The student must not have attained the age of 19 on or before 1 July
  • The student must reside more than 3 miles from the college attended. If not attending the nearest suitable college evidence must be provided on part B of the application form.

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This page last updated May 2011


 

 

 

 
Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT

Safety

The Board is responsible for providing transport safely, legally and economically. In exercising this responsibility it is acknowledged that parents, schools and pupils/students have a role to play in ensuring that the high level of transport safety which exists in Northern Ireland is maintained and continually improved.

It is the Board’s view that:

  • Pupils have a responsibility to behave in an acceptable manner that ensures safety both on the vehicle and while awaiting transport.

  • Parents should promote good behaviour and accept responsibility for the conduct of their children en route to and from school

  • That it is the role of schools to support positive parenting practice and to actively encourage good behaviour on public and Board transport

 

Safety is a major issue for the Board and the Transport Unit has been working in partnership with Translink and a booklet on Safe School Transport has been produced and forwarded to all school children in the Board’s area. This booklet provides guidance for all those with responsibility for transport, i.e. the Board, Translink, parents, pupils, schools, drivers and escorts.


Behaviour

Behaviour on transport has major implications for safety of pupils and the Board has a Behavioural Policy on Home to School Transport that outlines the procedure to be followed when behavioural problems arise. It is a parental responsibility to ensure that their child/children are aware of the dangers of misbehaviour when being transported to and from school.


Transport by Taxi

Many children with Special Education Needs are transported to and from school by taxi. The Board is conscious of the vulnerability of the child in this area of transport. To ensure as far as reasonably practicable that children are transported safely, operators are required to submit details of all drivers, their vehicle registration numbers, insurance, tax, PSV licenses etc. In addition to this operators submit details of all drivers involved in home to school transport so that a criminal record check may be carried out by the Board.

The Board’s Transport Officer and Purchasing Officer meet with Operators annually to discuss the level of service required by the Board. The contract with the Board clearly defines the operator's responsibilities.

The Board has a Health and Safety Policy. In addition to this the Transport Unit has a Transport Safety Policy.


Road Safety Education

The Department of Environment employs Road Safety Education Officers in each Board area. These specialised officers visit schools and provide children with education on road safety issues. The Board works in partnership with the Senior Road Safety Education Officer on road safety issues.


Accidents

The Board has a procedure to deal with accident situations. Parents should be aware that most accidents occur when children alight from the vehicle. It is a parental responsibility to ensure that their children are aware of the dangers involved and that they should wait until the vehicle has left the stop before attempting to cross the road. Children’s safety is paramount and it is a parental responsibility to ensure their safety when they are left at their alighting point. The Board would recommend that a responsible adult supervise all children when waiting for or alighting from transport.


Transport on Exceptional Road Safety Grounds

In cases whereby children do not qualify for transport i.e. their home is within the statutory distance of the nearest suitable school transport may be provided on exceptional road safety grounds. Transport will be provided on eceptional road safety grounds to the nearest suitable school and not the school chosen.

The Board acknowledges that there is an exceptional potential road safety hazard on all roads. The five Education Boards have drawn up criteria to establish whether there would be an exceptional road safety hazard on a given route. This criterion has been drawn up in line with guidelines produced by the Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association. (LARSOA).

In carrying out a road safety survey the Board considers issues such as the width of the road, the volume of traffic, visibility, stepoffs along the route gaps in traffic. It must be stressed that there must be an exceptional road safety hazard for transport to be provided on road safety grounds.


Board Transport

The Board has its own fleet of vehicles which transports children residing in rural areas where there is no public transport available to and from school. The Board is also involved in the specialised transport of children with special education needs.

All Board vehicles are manufactured to current Construction and Use Regulations. Seat restraints are fitted in line with current legislation regarding the fitting of seat belts to minibuses and Coaches.


Staff Employed

The Board employs a range of professional drivers who hold a full PCV Category D and D1 Licences.

Drivers are provided with training and prior to commencing employment with the Board undergo a driving assessment carried out by a Board appointed Driving Instructor. Drivers on vehicles carrying wheelchairs are given instruction on how to secure wheelchairs. Drivers are also assessed annually.

Escorts are provided on all vehicles carrying children who have severe learning difficulties. Escorts are also provided on vehicles carrying children with moderate learning difficulties and who have behavioural problems where it is considered necessary by the Board.


Equipment

Recommendations are made by Health Service Officers regarding the specialised equipment required to ensure that children in wheelchairs are transported safely. The Board complies with all recommendations. Where a child is recommended to travel in a special seat this is provided by the Board.


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This page last updated May 2011

 

 

 

 
Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT

Fleet Details

The Transport Unit is responsible for the maintenance and replacement programme for the Board Fleet that includes:

Board Buses

57 Seater bus
33 Seater bus - Mercedes
29 Seater bus - Iveco
25 Seater bus - Mercedes
19 Seater bus (Wheelchair friendly) - Mercedes
17 Seater bus - LDV
16 Seater bus - Ford Transit

Library Vehicles
Mobile Libraries Mercedes

Miscellaneous

Tractors
Landrovers
Vans
Mowing Machines

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Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT

Recruitment

The Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All permanent posts for Bus Drivers, Escorts and School Crossing Patrols are advertised in the local press.

All posts within the Board have specified criteria which has to be met in order for prospective applicants to be considered for appointment.


Bus Drivers

Drivers are required to hold a full category D License (No Restrictions) and have a minimum of 5 years’ driving experience. Experience in driving buses in particular with carriage of children would be an advantage.

The role of the Bus driver requires the ability to work as a member of a team and to be sensitive to the needs of the children in his/her care. The driver is often the only direct contact parents have with the Board and is therefore required to present a favourable image of the Board.
Anyone who meets the above criteria and is interested in temporary employment should contact the Assistant Transport Officers.

 

Bus and Taxi Escorts

Escorts are required to have 1 year’s experience working with children in either a voluntary or paid capacity. Again the escort is often the only direct contact parents have with the Board. An Escort is employed on vehicles carrying children with Special Education Needs and should be aware of the sensitivities involved when dealing with these children.

Anyone who meets the above criteria and is interested in temporary employment should contact the Assistant Transport Officers

School Crossing Patrols

School Crossing Patrols must be under the age of 75 and medically fit. Again the post involves an understanding of children’s behaviour and the need to ensure their safety when crossing roads.

Anyone who meets the above criteria and is interested in temporary employment should contact the School Crossing Patrol Supervisor.

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This page last updated May 2011


 

 

 

 

 
Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT



 

 

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This page last updated May 2011


 

 

 

 

 
Parents & Students

School Transport



TRANSPORT

Tendering Process

The Board annually invite applications from companies wishing to be considered for home to school contract runs.

The Board has tendering procedures that must be adhered to. Operators are required to tender for contracts during August and runs are allocated accordingly to successful tenderers.

School runs involve the provision of transport by taxi or bus. The majority of pupils transported will have special needs and many of the vehicles required will need to be suitable to accommodate specific needs eg wheelchair friendly vehicles.

Any queries regarding the tendering process should be directed to the Board’s Purchasing Officer.

The Board operates a strict No Smoking Policy on all vehicles.

 

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This page last updated May 2011