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

Just over one week since the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, parents in places such as High Ercall, Tibberton and Lilleshall, say they've already begun to see issues emerging with the public buses taking their children to-and-from school.

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.