Students left in the lurch by transport dispute

Hundreds of students with disabilities are the victims in a dispute between the state government and transport providers.

More than 700 students with disabilities who commute to school in the inner west have been stranded by the withdrawal of transport runs which was the result of a new contract.

Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, said issues affecting the travel program are being resolved.

“The disturbance and distress caused to many students with disability covered by the program and their families is unacceptable, and I apologise to them for that,” Mr Piccoli said.

Leichhardt Labor Councillor, Darcy Byrne, said: “This is a breakdown of one of the government’s most vital and basic services, and local school kids are paying the price.”
The assisted travel program is used by 10,000 students.

“While it remains unacceptable that any student eligible for assistance under the program has missed school, the department expects the number to continue to fall as more drivers accept the higher rates,” Mr Piccoli said. The Minister said disruptions to travel arrangements would hopefully end soon.

Sydney Secondary College parent Angelo Rotondo believes transport is the last thing families should have to worry about. “It’s extremely disappointing for families of children with disabilities,” Mr Rotondo said. “The tender was published in December 2010 and it’s now February 2012 and there are children still left without transport.

“These families have a lot to deal with as it is, let alone having to battle with transport to and from school”

The Department has since offered higher pay rates to transport providers on runs of less than 30 kilometres.