Consultation launched on School Bus legislation

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called on the Infrastructure Minister to have new school bus safety legislation in place before the end of the current Assembly mandate, following the launch yesterday 26 March of a public consultation on safer journeys to school.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched the consultation, which examines proposals to improve safety for passengers, particularly children, when boarding or alighting from buses. The consultation, 'Safer Journeys to School: Consultation on overtaking and passing buses', runs until 21 May 2026.

Minister Kimmins said “Road safety is a high priority for me. I will continue to do all that I can to keep children and everyone safe on our roads.  I am asking drivers to be aware of when children may be getting on and off buses, or crossing the road and ask you to slow down, be prepared to stop, and be especially vigilant when approaching or passing a bus.

“This is an important day and an important step forward to prohibit overtaking buses to protect our children. I want to commend the strength and determination of the parents who have lost children this way who have campaigned for this."

Minister Kimmins also confirmed she would bring forward a wider package of measures covering education, engineering and enforcement.

McNulty, the SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson said "The need for increased school bus safety, particularly when buses are picking up or dropping off children, has been brought into sharp focus by a number of tragic incidents in recent years," said McNulty. "The SDLP has met with bereaved parents and heard first-hand the devastating impact this has had on them and their families."

He added: "It's imperative that this consultation is progressed quickly and that legislation is brought forward and passed by the Assembly before the end of this mandate. Too often we see important measures delayed by a sluggish Executive and bureaucracy, but this is a common-sense, deliverable intervention that commands widespread support."

The consultation sets out a preferred proposal focused on prohibiting overtaking a stationary bus in clearly defined dangerous circumstances, alongside a range of additional options aimed at reducing risk when vehicles pass buses during boarding and alighting.

Launching the consultation, Minister Kimmins said: "Sadly in recent years, tragic incidents involving children at bus stops have highlighted the risks that can arise when passengers are getting on or off buses. These moments present a period of particular vulnerability, especially where children may need to cross the road and where traffic speed, visibility or road layout increase the potential for harm."

McNulty acknowledged the role of campaigners in reaching this point. "We have reached this stage because of the tireless efforts of campaigners who have shown incredible strength in using their own loss as a catalyst for change,"

The consultation is open until 21 May 2026 and further details are available at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk