Ama said her daughter, Sophia Ama, is a 6-year-old “sassy little girl” who loved school, art, dancing, and most of all her little sister, Layla Ama.
But behind that joy is a constant threat. Sophia is autistic and has propionic acidemia, a rare metabolic disorder that means her body can’t properly break down certain proteins and fats. Sophia also has limited speech.
Ama said she has been shocked by the poor service since the ministry switched providers.
“She’s been sent home twice with no car seat … my daughter just last week came home with the door that wasn’t shut completely and the step ladder … of the van still left out.”
Brooke Ama and her daughter Sophia rely on specialist school transport. Photo / Brooke Ama
Sophia needs a car seat for her own safety, but it’s also the law. In New Zealand, children under 7 must be properly restrained, and that responsibility falls on the driver.
Ama said she has also seen wheelchairs “tied down” due to a lack of correct fixtures.
The Herald put Ama’s claims to Ritchies. The company refused to comment on specifics, but released a statement.
“We take the safety and security of our passengers very seriously. We work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure our services are consistent with the requirements of our contract and to ensure a high quality, safe service. We continue to work closely with the ministry to rectify issues that arise.”
Before the ministry’s overhaul, Ama had no issues with school transport.
Sophia Ama, 6, relies on Specialist Education School Transport Assistance. Photo / Brooke Ama
“The driver would come to our front door, collect the car seat, strap her in and out of the car. These guys don’t even get out of the vehicle,” she said.
Ama is not the only one. Her calls for change echo those of other families.
On May 18th, 8-year-old Gurshabad Singh escaped a school van unnoticed and drowned in a West Auckland backyard pool.
Just three weeks later, an Auckland couple were left “extremely distressed” after their autistic child failed to turn up to school and was discovered inside a school van four hours later.
Sophia Ama has propionic acidemia. Photo / Brooke Ama
The Herald asked the Ministry of Education if Sesta vehicles are fully equipped and compliant for transporting wheelchair users.
“All wheelchair-accessible vehicles must meet the NZTA [NZ Transport Waka Kotahi] passenger vehicle certification standards,” Ministry of Education acting group general manager Andrea Williams said.
Williams also assured the Herald all Sesta drivers must have completed or intend to complete “within six months” a series of NZQA unit standards.
These include training on transporting passengers with impairments, disabilities or wheelchairs.
Sophia Ama has stopped using Sesta following a string of safety issues. Photo / Brooke Ama
The Ministry of Education is conducting a “system-wide review” of the Sesta services, but Ama says the ministry should do more.
“Go and sit on one of those taxis, see what happens. Get in the day-to-day life of what’s real. What you hear and what you see, is that not enough?”
As the review gets underway, Brooke Ama said parents are seeking more than just assurances, but confidence their children will get to school safely.
Katie Oliver is an Auckland-based live reporter and producer for Ryan Bridge TODAY on Herald NOW.