School bus with open, 'broken' door still under investigation

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Just over two weeks after some video footage of a bus being operated somewhere in the greater Mossel Bay area with its folding door open, seemingly broken, the Western Cape Department of Education has said the matter is still under investigation.

The footage was posted on Facebook by well-known community activist and parent Faizell Porter on 29 January. It was taken from inside the bus, and shows the open door while the bus was moving.

Porter told Mossel Bay Advertiser the bus in the video is one that transports children from the Herbertsdale area and surrounds to the schools in Mossel Bay, and that he and some other parents had complained to the department several times about the transport available to schoolchildren.

He described the vehicle as a 'deathtrap' and said one of the complaints he had raised with the department last year was that the driver allegedly sometimes drives it while under the influence, and that many of these vehicles used for learner transport are not roadworthy.

Porter also alleged that the children were being dropped along the N2 and other risky places without any adult supervision.

He claimed the department had said the contract with the learner transport provider would be cancelled in November, but when November came, it was awarded to the same contractor.

Mossel Bay Advertiser asked the department about Porter's previous complaints and all the allegations, and enquired what action had been taken.

The department said the matter was being dealt with by the Eden and Central Karoo District Office.

"Appropriate action is being taken in line with our guided legislative framework, policies and procedures. We take the safety and well-being of learners extremely seriously, and any concerns relating to scholar transport are treated as a priority," said Bronagh Hammond, the department's spokesperson.

She said all concerns brought to the department's attention are investigated and addressed in accordance with its established protocols and the relevant legislative frame-work governing scholar transport services.

Hammond added that schools are required to monitor and verify that all transport operators maintain valid roadworthy certificates and operating licences in accordance with standard operating procedures.

"If the matter is not resolved at school level, it may be escalated to the district office," she said.

Parents and members of the public who wish to lodge formal complaints about scholar transport should direct their concerns to the relevant channels, where these will be recorded and investigated accordingly.

Concerns of non-compliance may also be reported to the school principals. Parents may also report safety concerns to the Safe Schools Hotline on 0800 45 46 47, directly to the Mossel Bay Traffic Department on 044 606 5201, or to the Western Cape Mobility Department on 0860 142 142.

"The department remains committed to ensuring that all scholar transport services meet the required safety standards and that contractors fulfil their obligations in accordance with their service level agreements," she said.

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