Thank you routeone for highlighting the issue of Section 19 permits where teachers (among others) continue to drive some of the most vulnerable in society – our children and grandchildren.
Imagine those children who are unable to communicate effectively to give an account of their journey, driven by an unqualified driver, or by a driver who wants to ‘help out’ but has never been assessed for their suitability to work unsupervised with children and young people.
Last year, Liz and Steve Fitzgerald launched the petition calling for action, but this had to be halted due to the election, and the process that followed meant the petition could only be relaunched now.
But — and it is a huge but — now the petition is being supported by major teacher unions. They also do not agree that teachers should drive minibuses.
It seems to me that in addition to Belt Up School Kids (BUSK) and the unions supporting this campaign, the coach and bus industry could also support it.
Please let us stand together on this issue. Stop unregulated people, whoever they are and no matter how well intentioned, from driving children unless they have the same degree of safety checks and processes in place that PSV O-Licence holders have to have.
I want to appeal to the entire passenger transport industry, which, let’s not forget, has been very much affected over the years, to challenge a two-tier system that is often supported by local authorities that award contracts to permit holders because it is cheaper, not because it is safer — and for the way in which schools and charities are allowed to get away with a system that is not only sometimes questionable, but is open to safety breaches and compromises.
So, I ask you all to please, please, not only sign and share the petition link that routeone has published, but to ensure that you include the ability for children to also sign.
It is, after all, for their safety.
Pat Harris
Director, BUSK
