Parents call for return of dedicated school bus

Parents living in rural Oxfordshire are calling for the return of a council-run school bus service, claiming the current public services are making their children late for school.

The county council arranges home-to-school transport, but can contract the service out if a private operator is running a bus on the route at the same time. Some public services in rural areas include longer routes and more stops.

Families living in south Oxfordshire and Cherwell have reported problems with public buses, including a lack of available seats and regular delays.

A local authority spokesperson said the council "takes seriously any concerns relating to safety, safeguarding, accessibility or reliability".

Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for providing home-to-school transport, where a child is attending their catchment secondary school and they live at least three miles away without a safe walking route available.

Last year, the authority spent £8.37m on mainstream travel assistance for more than 5,500 students across Oxfordshire.

Rachel Blake's daughter used to travel on a dedicated school bus between Sydenham and Thame. But a year ago that changed to public bus.

"Unbeknown to us, the council decided to change the service, so that instead of it being a dedicated school bus, it was actually handed over to a bus company for them to run the service," she said.

According to Blake, the longer route, that winds its way through the smaller villages, has led to a less reliable and busier service.

That is something Victoria Roe, from Sydenham Parish Council, said has been echoed by other families in the village: "We've been contacted by a number of parents with complaints about the school bus and the unreliability of the service.

"It is running late sometimes and there has not been enough seats for children, especially on a very fast main road into Thame."

Dan Harris reported similar concerns around the public bus which is used for children travelling from Middleton Stoney to Heyford Park.

The number 25 starts in Bicester and has significant roadworks along the road, leading to delays.

Harris said: "Ultimately the lack of explanation as to the ongoing decline in rural provision for residents in villages, the ongoing unreliable bus service, the lack of safe alternative options for travel and the financial burden of having to fill the gap whilst Oxfordshire County Council find a solution is leaving us, and other residents, feeling frustrated and under-represented."

The county council, said it "keeps their suitability under review and take seriously any concerns relating to safety, safeguarding, accessibility or reliability".

A spokesperson said: "Concerns raised with the council are followed up with the operator and, where appropriate, the relevant regulator.

"Where issues affect a pupil's ability to travel safely, we will review whether the transport arrangement remains suitable."

Both the Harris and Blake families, now regularly drive their children to school, something neither wants to do, with added concerns over climate change and it going against the advice of their respective schools.

For Blake, the solution is clear: "Bring back the bus that we originally had.

"Let's give our kids the chance to get to school on a dedicated school bus. Because at the moment, what we've got is just not delivering on what the promise is."