Bus Passengers (Hansard, 6 November 2001)

§ Mr. Edwards
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the regulations on the permitted number of standing passengers on local buses.[12318]

§ Ms Keeble
The recent agreement in the EU for common standards for the construction of buses will lead to a change in the regulations. However, in practice, the provisions of the EU Directive are broadly similar to our current requirements.

§ Mr. Edwards
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to amend the Public Service Vehicle (Carrying Capacity) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 in order to end the practice of three seated children under the age of 14 years counting as two passengers.[12556]

§ Mr. Jamieson
Permitting three children sitting in the space provided for two seats is a concession, not a requirement, and applies only where the vehicle is not fitted with seat belts.
Currently, there is no plan to amend the Carrying Capacity Regulations to abolish this concession. The responsibility for choosing an appropriate vehicle must rest with those who are making the arrangements for the transport of children.

§ Mr. Edwards
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the legislative basis is of the three for two rule in the carrying of pupils under 14 years on scheduled bus services; and what plans he has to abolish this rule.[12555]
138W

§ Ms Keeble
The regulations that permit the three for two rule are the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. I have no plans to abolish this rule as it a concession and not a requirement.

§ Mr. Edwards
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of passenger overcrowding on buses transporting pupils to school.[12444]

§ Ms Keeble
No assessment of overcrowding of buses has been made by the Health and Safety Executive. The responsibility for ensuring that a bus does not carry more passengers than it is certified for lies with the driver and, if applicable, conductor. Enforcement of regulations relating to carrying capacity and safety of buses rests with the Police and the Vehicle Inspectorate. I am not aware of any prosecutions for overcrowding on services involving school transport.