The Department of Infrastructure has sought to clarify the position regarding the future operation and maintenance of school minibuses.

Changes are being introduced in April as part of a wider programme designed to create a shared service to achieve consistent standards and generate cost efficiencies across the Government fleet.

In future, all Government minibuses will be operated and maintained under the Department of Infrastructure’s Operator Licence.

A school can ask the Department to take on the responsibilities of the Operator Licence on its behalf. In this event, the Department will undertake regular driver training, quarterly checks, annual servicing, the preparation and presentation of vehicles for annual tests and any additional maintenance as required.

Schools that do not wish to be part of this arrangement are free to arrange their own Operator Licence.

The Department has confirmed that minibuses purchased by schools, parent teacher associations or charitable organisations, but transferred to the DoI’s Operator Licence, will remain at those schools. Schools will also retain responsibility for the use of their own minibuses and for handling bookings for other parties. These arrangements will remain in place for the operational life of the vehicle.

Schools will be encouraged to make their minibuses available to other community groups in order to maximise use and to improve efficiency. Schools will also continue to use their own drivers or, if they do not have anyone available, to request a driver from the Department of Infrastructure.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK: ‘I want to provide reassurance to schools, parents and community groups that have raised funds to purchase their own minibuses that the Department will not be taking the vehicles from them. Schools can either choose to be responsible for their own vehicles or can ask the Department to take on the legal responsibilities. Even if they do, it will be very much business as usual for many schools, with most of the existing arrangements remaining in place.’

He added: ‘The changes will help to improve standards by offering schools a consistent approach to the maintenance of their minibuses. All the quarterly checks, annual servicing and general repairs will be performed by qualified staff at the Department to ensure vehicles are roadworthy. I’m sure everybody will agree that the safety of school minibuses and their occupants is of paramount importance.’