Parents raise concerns over public buses that have replaced dedicated school transport

It comes following Telford & Wrekin Council's decision to replace some dedicated coach services with public buses, while pupils are given bus passes to use on the routes.

Pupils affected use either a pre-existing Arriva service, or one of two newly-created 103 and 104 routes operated by Chaserider. This change of service began last week.

Parents say they have experienced issues with buses not stopping for children – and them having to run to the next stop – as well as overcrowding, late drop-offs and pick-ups.

One mum, from High Ercall, whose son attends Charlton School and catches the 103 service to get to school said: "On Friday, my son and all the other students were waiting to be picked-up.

"I check his location a while later and can see he was still at the bus stop so I rang him and he said it hasn't turned up. I had to make arrangements to pick up my son and I rang one of the girls in the village and said 'I don't think the bus has turned up'.

"It was 30 degrees, there was no shade and sweltering heat. When I pulled in (at the school car park) there were cars all over the place and kids all over the place.

"I sent an email in to travel assistance at Telford & Wrekin Council to say you are putting our children at risk.

"They are rushing to get to-and-from the bus stop, they are trying to get from A to B and one of these days there's going to be a major accident.

"We are just going to be worrying morning and night if our children are safely getting to-and-from school."

Another parent whose daughter attends Burton Borough School in Newport said: "Wednesday and Thursday the 102 turned up late, which meant missing out on education.

"Today [Friday, September 8] it refused to take on my daughter and three other children waiting at the bus stop by the church as it was to full.

"The bus was absolutely full and not safe for anyone that was standing up. On a coach each child gets to sit down and feels safe going to school.

"How does the Council think it’s acceptable for students to have anxiety every morning because of worrying if they will make it to school in time or make it to school at all, as there isn’t enough space?

"I am really disappointed by how the Council didn’t prioritise their young generation's safety and education."

Another parent whose son attends Burton Borough School in Newport added: "My son is autistic and taking the bus alone is a big thing for him, let alone having to contend with it being full to bursting or not being able to actually get on it, and the subsequent anxiety this causes.

"It's also very unsafe as there aren't seatbelts, or even enough seats for children who are then having to travel along a 60mph A Road to school.

"Children are now being left standing at bus stops for a long time as buses are full, putting them in a vulnerable position, and making them late, which is encroaching on their learning time."

Telford & Wrekin Councillor Stephen Bentley, for Ercall Magna, said he had received a number of calls and visits from concerned parents over the school transport scheme.

He said: "At the moment, the resolution is unsatisfactory and some of the excuses that are coming forward are completely unacceptable. There hasn't been any recognition of safeguarding issues.

"There are issues where the provider can't get down certain lanes or get into communities because the roads are too narrow. But the transport they are using is smaller than the transport that they used to use and that never had any issues.

"The issues around this are now becoming farcical."

Responding, Telford & Wrekin Council say the issues raised recently are "largely teething problems" as a result of the new services and will be resolved as quickly as possible.

A spokesperson for Telford & Wrekin Council said: "Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to providing affordable and reliable public transport, as demonstrated by the seven new routes to support people in getting to school, work as well as travel from rural areas to the hospital.

"The new services are capped at an affordable fare of £1 for children and £2 for adults, monitored daily for punctuality with operational procedures continually reviewed to ensure buses arrive and depart from schools on time.

"Concerns raised recently are largely teething problems, compounded by the introduction of new services.

"Issues that have been raised are common occurrence nationally in the early weeks of term as passengers become accustomed to new services and timetables.

"Concerns raised have been taken into consideration and as a cooperative council on the side of residents, the issues will be resolved as quickly as possible.

"The council has said it listens to every concern, has been monitoring journeys daily and is also working with the operator.

"It also offers assurance that it is on the side of residents and the teething problems will be resolved as soon as possible."