In 1991 the Dutch Ministry of transport came out with a policy for school going students known as the student pass. Since the implementation of the student passes Dutch students have been benefitting from the free transport.
The student passes allow the students to board any public or private buses any day in a week. Student passes were cheaper to administer and much straightforward than older transport allowances.
The Dutch are always on the move trying every innovation as possible. Such an innovation was the bicycle school bus.
Nearly half of the Dutch population use bicycle as their daily transportation system and implementing the student bicycle was a revolutionary way to redesign the classic yellow school bus further greening mass transit.
Even though such innovations have made an impact there exist schools, which use school buses to safely transport their peers daily. Such school fleets are required to satisfy certain standards approved by the Dutch Ministry of Transport
School Bus Requirements
Visual Signs
- Red light emitting flashes (2 each) should be mounted on the front and rear of the school bus.
- “STOP WHEN RED LIGHTS FLASHING” and “DO NOT PASS WHEN SIGNALS FLASHING” signs must be illustrated on the rear of the bus with block letters at least 75 millimeters and height, not below 15 centimeters
Bus Colour
If the buses sole purpose is to transport school going students then the fleets should be painted chrome yellow or school bus yellow. Other buses rather than school fleets should not be painted yellow, and these buses should only be used for transporting students.
Fire Extinguisher
A Fire Extinguisher which is rated above 2A-10BC and a design type approved by U.L.C, U.L. or, F.M. should be placed in a manner which is visible and available to everyone on the bus.
First Aid Kits
A First Aid Kit labelled with instructions on how to use the contents inside the box should be kept in either a metal case or pillow type case near the driver compartment. The First Aid Kit should consist of the following,
A packet of 4 containing 12 gauze cleansing pads, 4 hand cleansers
- Individually wrapped 150 adhesive dressings, 6 compress dressings (10 centimetres) and 8 compress dressings (5 centimetres).
- Dressing kits of two containing 2 gauze pads, one eye shield, 2 gauze bandages, and 3 gauze dressings
- Kept in packets 1 adhesive tape, 6 triangular bandages, one pair scissor, one pair silver tweezers, 12 safety pins, 1metal splint
- Kept in packets 1 adhesive tape, 6 triangular bandages, one pair scissor, one pair silver tweezers, 12 safety pins, 1metal splint
Doors & Windows
The doorway should be established at the front of the school bus in a manner which can be accessed from inside and outside the vehicle with ease.
- The door controls of a school bus should be designed in a manner, to be controlled by the bus driver in case of an accidental opening.
- Emergency Exits should be located at the rear left side of the vehicle, provided with a fastening device for a quick release but safeguarded against unexpected openings.
- Windows should be implemented with cross rails across them and should not be tainted.
- The entrance, emergency exits and the passageway of the school bus should have at least 30cm clearance space.
- Every school bus should exhibit a sheet authorized by the Minister of Education on the entrance, which bears instruction to school children on the conduct they have to keep while boarding, departing and on the bus.
Stop Arms
Stop Arms with flashing lights must be implemented in the driving side of the bus; while the stop arm is activated no vehicle should pass by or overtake the halted bus.
School Bus Body
- School bus body should be constructed in a manner to conclude proper and adequate ventilation.
- The floor partition between the bus body and the engine compartment should be properly insulated and constructed in a manner that exhaust gases will not enter the inside of the bus.
- The school bus interior should be free of every unwanted projection which is hazardous to the students. The interior can consist of luggage racks and handrails.
- Luggage racks should be used only to carry student bags and study material, other than this equipment, no other objects which are likely to injure the students should not be carried.
- The bus interior should be completely lighted with illumination lights.
Duties and Driving Behaviours
- School bus drivers are in complete charge of the students while on a bus. If any student is found guilty in keeping the conduct intact, the school bus driver can reject the transportation service for the student.
- School Bus drivers should always follow traffic rules in school neighbourhoods and city regions. If students are found in dangerous situations due to harsh driving, the driver license can be effectively removed instantly.
- Bus drivers are in charge of the school fleet maintenance, they are responsible for keeping the vehicle safety proofed so that students can be commuted daily
If the School buses attain the requirements established by the Dutch Ministry of transport, then the buses provide effective and secure transportation for students daily.