Ensuring Student Safety from Implementation of Common Pick-up and Drop-off Points for School Buses

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Education with regard to common pick-up and drop-off points for school buses from 2024, what are the measures that the Ministry will be taking, in working together with the school bus operators and associations and relevant agencies like LTA and Traffic Police, to ensure the safety of students and the proximity of the pick-up and drop-off points for high demand areas.

Safety of our students is paramount. In selecting pick-up and drop-off points for school bus services, operators must ensure that the points are safe and well-selected, including being sheltered and with minimal traffic. This has been the guiding principle for all pick-up and drop-off points, including common pick-up and drop-off points, which help to streamline operations and reduce journey times for students.

As bus operators plan their routes and pick-up and drop-off points based on requests they receive, parents who have concerns can discuss with their school bus operator should they require pick-up and drop-off points nearer to home.

We also seek parents’ support to help develop in their children a stronger sense of road safety, select a safe walking route, or to arrange for younger children to be chaperoned as needed.