Why Can't the School Buses Get Their Act Together? I can't stand people who use these type of websites to moan but today I feel I must join them! The Stagecoach school bus service from Bideford to Barnstaple is just appalling these days. Yes, I know if I live in Bideford I should send my child to Bideford College but that's another matter. The buses are constantly late and therefore hit the traffic at Roundswell and the children are regularly arriving after registration. The bus company's excuse - we can't control the traffic! Well why don't you get your buses to leave ON TIME?! The children say that the non-school bus services seem to be still running on time so why leave these poor kids standing in the cold and wet and then deliver them to school late - and this is costing me £100 per term ... it's just not good enough!

By Nonnie_Mouse at 08:58 on 19/01/11

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Your are not moaning. It appears that you have looked for reason from Stagecoach. Sometimes there are no other platforms in our democratic society then this. Some parties that should be monitoring this more full of platitudes then action. That said a note needs to be made of the departure time of the bus over a certain period that you consider effective. The result should be sent to the Education Department who actually manage the Service.

By pobox112 at 10:43 on 19/01/11
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Another solution would be to get the school buses to depart 10 or 15 minutes earlier. This would avoid the traffic and ensure that the children get to school on time.

By will_barrow at 11:02 on 19/01/11
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My son has been experiencing this problem too, with the 901 from Bideford to Pilton School which runs along Instow sea front. He is quite upset about having to stand at the back in assembly and miss his registration. I must say that the transport officer at Pilton Community College has been really supportive. She actually got the manager from Stagecoach to call me. Although he was quite pleasant he was just full of excuses. I am going to get my son to log the times when the buses are late. His bus always seems to be the last one picking children up on the way home too - it's not good enough especially at that price! I pay £100 a term too and that's nearly half way there!

By A_McCormack at 11:20 on 19/01/11
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The park school also have the same problem with the buses; the children are invariable late for registration, which is disruptive to their education.
The park school bus is just a normal 21a which goes to the park school instead of the hospital. Stagecoach run two buses to the school in the morning, which are supposed to reach Instow at 7.57 and 7.59 (two minutes apart!) These buses end up leap frogging each other all the way to the school - these buses are also open for members of the public to ride on (as if!!)
The solution to the park school problem seems obvious to me - run an earlier 21a bus via park school instead of the hospital.
The pilton bus is a totally different and probably even easier problem to solve - leave earlier!
Of course if too much fuss is made of this Stagecoach will probably not even tender for the contract when it comes up again and this could leave parents responsible for getting their children to school - bet they'd all be on time though.

By will_barrow at 16:26 on 19/01/11
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Seems like another smooth operation overseen by Conservative Devon County Council.

By pobox112 at 17:01 on 19/01/11
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I am certain that Stagecoach does not have the level of sensitivity suggested. If there is money in it - they will be there. The contract needs looking at with more depth, contact your County Councillor to take this matter up with the Education Department.

By pobox112 at 17:17 on 19/01/11
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I have just seen this notice on the Pilton Community College Website regarding the School buses from Bideford:

Transport Issues – Clarification
901, 902, 903 and 904 Buses

If your child is eligible to free or assisted transport from Devon County Council under the School Transport Policy, this will continue and further details of this will be shared when we have been informed.

If your child currently pays for their transport on the 901, 902, 903 or 904 services, we are in discussions with Stagecoach regarding continuing with services that bring students to Pilton. We are very optimistic that we will be able to provide a good alternative; details will follow shortly.

We are sorry for the short notice but we, and the bus companies, were only informed on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 January.

Thank you for your understanding.

Michelle Goddard
Assistant Headteacher

By Hyperlocal at 09:51 on 30/01/11
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