Narara sexual assault sparks call for abolishing distance rule for free bus travel

PARENTS have called for authorities to scrap the minimum distance requirements for free student bus passes and clear the overgrown reserve where a girl was dragged into bushes and sexually assaulted on the Central Coast this week.

The crime scene in Narara on the Central Coast where a 12-year-old girl was tied up and sexually assaulted on her way to school this week.

PARENTS  have called for authorities to scrap the minimum distance requirements for free student bus passes and clear the overgrown reserve where a girl was dragged into bushes and sexually assaulted on Monday.

The 12-year-old girl told police she was grabbed from behind as she walked along the path between Reeves and Carrington streets at Narara about 7.45am.

She was allegedly dragged into bushes, tied up and sexually assault by a man aged in his 20s who was dressed in camouflage clothing and armed with a hunting knife.

The crime scene around a notorious pathway in Narara on the Central Coast where a 12-year-old girl was tied up and sexually assaulted on her way to school.

The girl managed to escape and raised the alarm when she got to Narara Valley High School about 9am.

The shocking attack reignited debate on social media over free student bus passes with many people calling for Transport for NSW to scrap its eligibility rules, which set minimum distances for free travel.

A Year 7 student is eligible for a free pass if the straight line distance from their home address to school is more than 2km, or the walking distance is 2.9km or further­. “Give the kids bus passes so they don’t have to walk,” Jade Jones posted on Facebook.

“It’s a joke. All school kids should get free travel to and from school! This poor girl.”

Detectives continue their investigations as they hunt a man who sexually assaulted a girl, 12, in bushland in Narara.

Monday’s attack came ahead of today’s annual Walk Safely to School day which aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits of regular walking, especially to and from school.

However, Lyn Doyle said every child should get free bus passes no matter how close they lived to school.

“It’s not safe to walk to school these days,” she posted on Facebook.

Others such as Rebecca Anne called on Central Coast Council to clear the reserve and install lighting and CCTV.

“The whole area surrounding the pathway needs to be demolished and made into an open area park where you can see Carrington St and Reeves St from both directions,” she wrote.

“It is so overgrown with trees, debris and needs a total clean-up.”

A council spokesman said the area surrounding the path between Reeves and Carrington streets was predominantly zoned bushland reserve.

“Council undertakes regular mowing of the areas adjacent to the track, to ensure access is available for cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department is currently reviewing eligibility guidelines for the School Student Transport Scheme.