Victorian providers are advised to hold off getting accredited bus number plates
19/01/2023
What you need to know
- From 1 March some bus operators in Victoria must display accredited number plates on buses that seat 10 or more people.
- NDS has been advocating strongly for an exemption for disability services, citing significant administrative and logistical burden for providers.
- Safe Transport Victoria has advised providers to hold off getting the plates while it works on an exemption mechanism.
Under recent changes to the Bus Safety Act 2009 and Bus Safety Regulation 2020, operators of buses for people requiring ‘special care or support due to age or disability’ are required to install accredited bus number plates by 1 March 2023.
NDS has advocated strongly for an exemption for disability services, arguing that the administrative burden and costs of compliance would significantly outweigh any benefits for passengers.
Safe Transport Victoria has responded positively to NDS’s advocacy and is exploring options for an exemption.
Their advice reads: “Safe Transport Victoria is advising disability services to hold off from acquiring accredited number plates as work continues to identify a suitable mechanism to provide an exemption for this requirement providing specific circumstances are met by operators. More information will be available shortly.”
NDS is also advocating for an exemption from accreditation fees, which are set to be gradually introduced. We will keep you updated on our progress.
For any enquiries, please contact Clare Hambly, Senior Policy and Projects Officer, submit enquiry/feedback, show phone number