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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 9 Hansard (6 September) . . Page.. 2923 ..
MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Minister for Education. Minister, I understand that Keir's of Canberra Charter Coaches has been successful in tendering for the department of education's disability services bus routes. I have been contacted by parents who are extremely happy with the service that ACTION has provided. Their children have built up rapport and trust with ACTION drivers, and many of these children, as I am sure you will appreciate, do not adapt well to change. Minister, when was the tender called, when was the decision made, and how many companies tendered for the contract?
MR STEFANIAK: In terms of how many companies tendered, Mr Hargreaves, and the exact dates, I would have to get that information for you.
Mr Smyth: It was called in November 1999.
MR STEFANIAK: There you go. I am advised that in November 1999 a request for tender was called for, Mr Hargreaves, and the deal was signed on 28 August. My understanding is that Keir's have been involved before and it is not just Keir's who are involved; it is Keir's and ACTION who have won the tender for these bus routes. I understand that a lot of work was done in relation to these matters.
Mr Hargreaves, I think there has been only one problem brought to my attention involving Keir's in the past. There have been, on occasions, some problems involving ACTION in the past too. They go back some years in both instances in relation to those bus groups. They have taken any problems that have arisen very seriously and taken steps to ensure that they do not occur again.
Both companies, Mr Hargreaves, are fully committed to providing a high-quality service appropriate to the transport of children with special needs. You are quite right about those needs being very different from normal mainstream bus services. Also, the companies will meet all the contract specifications, including the provision of things like seatbelts, punctuality requirements and other standards. Both companies have training courses for drivers. Standards of service are to be strictly maintained. Close liaison will remain between my department and those respective bus companies to follow up all issues that are raised by parents.
MR HARGREAVES: I thank the minister for the answer, Mr Speaker, but I have a supplementary question. Will the minister describe to the Assembly what split between the two companies has occurred? He mentioned that they are both involved in it. I would like to see what arrangements have been put in place where two people are now doing only one. What arrangements have you put in place to allay parents' and children's concern over the change?
MR STEFANIAK
: In terms of the split, who is doing what, I would have to get that information to you, Mr Hargreaves. I could provide that, including the routes, but I do not have that immediately to hand. As I indicated, both companies are very much committed to high-quality service. The department will be monitoring how the companies go. Obviously, if there are problems, the department is contacted by parents.
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