CPT has delivered provisional industry costing of a compliance assessment relating to a recent seatbelt consultation.
The comments came after the association digested the Traffic Commissioners’ response to a government consultation on the issue. The TC response gives the first indication of what measure TCs might consider as amounting to “reasonable steps” for operators to take to meet any new law.
CPT estimates in its provisional assessment that:
- Training and Instructions – estimated total cost £450,000 for the 90,000 drivers actively working on belted coaches/buses used by children;
- Operator administration – Filing and production of records of checks could reach a total estimated cost of £475,000;
- Written instructions to group organisers, schools and parents – could lead to a cost of £100,000;
- Walk round check and dialogue each time young passengers board – Estimate total cost of £3,800,000; and
- Good signage – at no extra cost to operators because of “adequate signage” used when carrying adults.
Steven Salmon, CPT director of policy development said: “Having seen the Traffic Commissioners’ submission, we are now able to take a reasoned view of the costs of compliance for the industry.
“Note that these are industry costs only; additional “time” costs will fall on passengers who are travelling on buses and coaches with seat belts at the same time as children, and on the children themselves, of course.”
