REGIONAL communities will get 150 new school buses fitted with seatbelts, the NSW Government says.
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It follows the recommendations of an independently chaired taskforce to improve the rural and regional seatbelt program.
Oberon's state member Paul Toole, who is also the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, said the new air-conditioned buses would replace any dedicated school bus in regional NSW more than 20 years old with new buses fitted with seatbelts.
"All dedicated regional school buses will be fitted with seatbelts by the end of 2021 - two years ahead of the government's initial commitment in response to the 2012 School Bus Safety Community Advisory Committee Report," he said.
"This is great news for schoolchildren and families right across regional NSW.
"To date, 861 new school buses with seatbelts have been delivered to the bush, and 248 buses have had seatbelts retrofitted as part of the 10-year commitment to service and improve bus safety in our regional areas."
He said student safety was the government's priority.
