A voluntary guideline will protect bus owners and the public against sub-standard seatbelt retrofit practices.

The Australian Transport Council (ATC) has voted to approve the National Code of Practice for Retrofitting Passenger Restraints to Buses. The Code sets out three quality standards – Gold, Silver and Bronze – for seatbelt retrofits, which reflect differences in the design and build of the bus chassis, seats and anchorages.

NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said the Code of Practice considers the whole passenger safety restraint system; not just the fitting of seatbelts. Seat anchorage strength and rollover protection are also key factors.

“As older route buses are put to use on tours, charters and excursions, there is an increasing demand for retrofit seatbelts. Many of those buses already meet rollover strength design rules and are suitable for retrofitting with the latest three-point lap/sash seats,” he said.

Bus Industry Confederation Executive Director Michael Apps welcomed the Code, which updates guidance issued in 1994.

“Retrofitting buses is a costly exercise. Bus owners and passengers deserve to know the level of safety protection an approved seatbelt retrofit can provide,” he said.

Bus owners are encouraged to ensure all seatbelt retrofits are certified by an approved engineer and the bus is fitted with a modification plate.

The NTC supports a performance-based approach to determine compliance with the intent of ADR68/00. This approach allows competent engineers to test and certify whether seat anchorages can withstand a severe frontal crash.

A copy of the Code of Practice is available for download here: National Code of Practice for Retrofitting Passenger Restraints in Buses

Note: Australian Design Rules (ADR)

ADR68 – passenger seats anchored to the chassis to withstand a severe frontal crash; and seats fitted with integrated lap/sash seatbelts. The standard applies to large coaches (ie not route service buses) manufactured since mid 1994.

ADR59 – rollover strength; applies to most large buses manufactured since mid 1992.

Paul Sullivan, General Manager Communications, NTC  (03) 9236 5027/0419 715242

Michael Apps, Executive Director, Bus Industry Confederation on 02 6247 5990