High school students struggle to get bus home because of overcrowding

SEVENTEEN students at a Northmead high school were left to find their own way home after their bus became too crowded to board.

Crowded buses outside Northmead High School wher some children have been left behind after school.

SEVENTEEN students at a Northmead high school were left to find their own way home after their bus became too crowded to board.

Mother of two Karen Matzen had to leave work to pick up her 14-year-old son and a friend who was unable to get on the school bus at Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School one afternoon last week.

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Mrs Matzen from Kings Langley said she was relieved that her younger son, aged 12, also a student was able to get on the bus to Seven Hills station.

She said overcrowding had been an issue on the 2529 bus since the start of the year.

“This year it’s been overpacked, these kids have been shoved on like cattle,” she said.

“The bus driver (on Tuesday afternoon) said, ‘I’m sorry’ the bus is full and left 17 kids at the bus stand,” she said.

“I was just angry this has happened without any notice.”

Mrs Matzen said it was “unacceptable” to leave kids stranded after school, because there wasn’t enough space on the bus.

She said a second bus needed to be added to the school run to ensure no one was left behind and reduce the crowding.

“I have rung before (about overcrowding) and nothing has been done.”

When the Parramatta Advertiser attended the bus stand last week students pushed towards the door of the 2529 bus to get on board. The bus was full and many students were standing, but no one appeared to be left behind that afternoon.

A Hillsbus spokesman said the company complied with all safety requirements and drivers would not allow buses to exceed capacity.

He said staff were sent to investigate a complaint about students being left behind earlier in the week.

“The 2529 bus is an express bus with limited stops. However, a number of students were getting on this bus and asking to be let off at other stops,” he said.

“With Hillsbus staff in attendance it was explained to the students that the 2528 had limited stops.

“As a result, a number of students exited the bus to use alternative services and there were no capacity issues.”

The spokesman said that Hillsbus had spoken with the school’s administration and would continue to monitor the situation.