With only enough room for two buses to pull over at a time, bus drivers and parents say the build up of traffic during busy times is causing safety issues at Yass High School.
It has been almost a year since the upgrade of the drop-off and pick-up system at Yass High School, but it seems not everyone is happy with the so-called improvements.
Some believe the $580,000 project, funded mainly by the Department of Education, has caused more harm than good.
“It’s no good, that’s for sure,” said Neil O’Mara of the current system.
“There is only room for two buses maximum in the stopping bay, so if there is more than two, cars just jam up behind.”
Mr O’Mara, who owns and operates O’Mara Buses, doesn’t believe that the system needed changing in the first place.
“I have no idea why they changed it, but what I would say is that they need to turn it into two lanes, one for buses, one for regular traffic, and then make the pedestrian lane narrower.”
Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) president Andrew Southwell has labelled the new traffic system “dangerous”.
“There is a big safety issue with it at the moment.
“As a parent it is extremely unclear where to stop, park and drop-off.”
But Mr Southwell told the Tribune that despite this, the change has been good.
“I think it is better than it was, but this change has created confusion like anything.”
Director of operations at Yass Valley Council, Simon Cassidy, said the new system has been a resounding success.
“The project has resulted in a significant improvement to traffic flows as well as greatly improving pedestrian and cyclist safety, which were the major aims of the project,” he said.
“Council certainly considers the project a success.”
Despite this, Mr Cassidy concedes council has still received some negative feedback from users of the drop-off zone.
“Council has received some comments regarding queuing of buses at times.
“(But) to extend the bus pull-off area would require significant additional works which wer not included in the original scope approved by the Department of Education.”
Mr Cassidy’s views are supported by the high school relieving principal, Ian Frost.
“The priority is at all times, the safety of students.”
But he did admit that the system wasn’t perfect.
“It is inevitable that congestion will occur at any site when close to 500 students are arriving or departing within a confined time period.
“There is always room for improvement - suggestions from anyone in the Yass High School community are always welcome.”