School buses start to 'belt up'

WORK began earlier this week on fitting Singapore's small school buses with new seats that have seatbelts attached.

Two of the 10 workshops appointed by the Land Transport Authority to carry out the retrofitting started work last Saturday, and a third one is expected to begin today. The other workshops are still waiting for the new seats to arrive and will start work in the coming weeks.

The Government announced in October that all small buses which ferry schoolchildren must have three-point seatbelts and front- facing seats by the end of 2011. Other small buses have until the end of 2013 to install seatbelts.

The ruling came after an intense public debate on the use of seatbelts in school buses, following the death of Russell Koh, eight, who was flung out of his school bus during an accident in April.

There are over 6,000 small buses in Singapore, of which 1,200 are used to transport schoolchildren. A small bus seats no more than 15 passengers.

One workshop that has started installing the new seats is Kim Mun Kang at Defu Lane. It has completed work on three buses and will finish two more today. Workshop director Ng Chee Liat said it takes about two days for each bus to be retrofitted.

Bus operator Yue Tiong Hock, who ferries Edgefield Primary School pupils, collected his bus from Mr Ng's workshop yesterday. The total retrofitting cost for the vehicle, which can seat 10 children, came to $4,066, but Mr Yue will pay only $66.

To help bus operators shoulder the installation cost, the Government will pay a $4,000 subsidy for each bus retrofitted from now until the end of 2012. Those who have new seats installed in 2013 will receive $3,000. Other financial incentives will be offered to bus operators.

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STEPS TO STRAPS

Photographer Wang Hui Fen captures Defu Lane workshop Kim Mun Kang at work as it goes about retrofitting buses with seats that have seatbelts

1 The original floorboard of the bus, which was not strong enough to support the new seats, has been removed. Measurements of the frame are taken as work starts on strengthening the floorboard. The frame will help reinforce the floorboard.

2 Workers lifting the seats into the bus so measurements can be taken before the seats are bolted on. The seats, the frame as well as the accompanying seatbelts must be made by the same company and must pass inspections by the Land Transport Authority.

3 The workers placing plywood onto the floorboard. They will then put in place a coat of heavy duty rubber, which will seal the floor.

4 The interior of a completed bus. All such buses must pass checks at a vehicle inspection centre authorised by the LTA before they can be used to transport schoolchildren.

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