Disabled bus bungle fuels Liberal-National tensions

DISABLED students in NSW stranded by an Education Department bungle should have assisted transport to school by Monday.

ALL disabled students in NSW who have been stranded by an Education Department bungle should have assisted transport to school by Monday.

But the fiasco that left about 740 students stuck at home at the start of the school year has blemished the record of NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and exacerbated tensions between the Liberal and National party rooms.

Mr Piccoli said last night the number of students with special needs without transport to school yesterday had fallen to about 160.

The department "has advised that it is likely none will remain on the waiting list at the start of next week", he said.

The beginning of school for the students, who have a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, has been disrupted by the inability of the department to reach a deal with bus companies for runs shorter than 30km.

There have been claims and counter-claims over when Mr Piccoli became aware of the scale of the problem, which prompted NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell to commission a special inquiry.

Mr Piccoli, the deputy leader of the Nationals, had been regarded as one of the Coalition government's strongest performers during its first year in office. Among other reforms, he has integrated indigenous schools in remote areas of NSW with health and community services and given their directors powers to spend money and hire staff.

But a number of Liberal MPs contacted by The Australian last night said the transport mess was a "wake-up call" for Mr Piccoli and vindicated their concerns about entrusting the education portfolio to the Nationals.