I have discovered that a child under the age of five is not classed as a passenger on board a coach. I have always informed my drivers the contrary – one passenger, one seat regardless of age.
To put this into perspective: A coach pulls up outside a children’s nursery to put 49 passengers on a 49-seater coach. Under current legislation those 49 parents could carry 49 children under the age of five unseat-belted onto the coach travelling on parents’ laps.
That is 98 passengers on board a vehicle licensed to carry 49. Now increase that to a double-decker coach which is licensed to carry around 70 passengers and then legally another 70 children under the age of five. And what if each adult brings two children?
When the transport act 1984 was created, this scenario was never thought about. However, with many companies now looking a profit over service, I wonder how often this happens and is accepted.
I wonder how insurance companies would see this loophole.
I have emailed Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani regarding this major safety concern that I feel needs to be addressed urgently. I’m still awaiting a response.
Adrian Pettitt
