Pupils and parents have been assured that the school bus service is running to schedule, with no cancellations so far this term.
Some of the services have been delayed though – which are said to be down to “long-term road closures”, reflecting “island-wide conditions”.
Where there have been “errors” on some school bus routes, we’re told the problems have been rectified and all services are believed to be running as planned.
There have been a handful of complaints about the service so far this term, confirmed Laura Oxburgh, the Head of On-Island Travel and Transport Implementation.
She said no services have been cancelled though, and the fewer than 10 formal complaints received have been dealt with.
“The school bus providers have not had to cancel any school bus services since the start of this term, but unfortunately we have been made aware of delayed services during both the morning and afternoon,” Ms Oxburgh explained.
“These services are contending with some long-term road closures that are in place to enhance our island’s essential infrastructure, and services running late reflect those island-wide conditions. Occasionally, we have been made aware of drivers operating the routes incorrectly, however, these errors should now have been rectified. The majority of drivers and vehicles are deployed each morning, which means that our providers are unable to lay on any extra services.
“Our contracts with our bus transport providers give termination rights should services not be provided, as well as the ability to apply service credits where weekly assurance reports on the service are not submitted to us.”
Where bus services have not run to schedule, some parents have complained about their children being unable to contact them.
Express understands some parents have called for schools to make a u-turn on mobile phone bans, implemented this term, so that their children can keep in contact if there are any problems with getting to or from school.
The Head of Education Operations said this is not necessary as the schools can make contact with parents.
“Schools are sympathetic in instances when a student is late for school due to circumstances beyond their control,” said Sophie Roughsedge.
“We understand parents want to know that their child can reach them when it matters. Schools have always been there for students at those moments, long before smartphones, and our receptions are well placed to help whenever a student needs to contact home at short notice. We have not been made aware of any circumstances that would lead us to revisit our approach, which ensures every student can take part fully in school life without a smartphone.”
