As we approach the new term it is a daunting time for the incoming year 7’s students not knowing what they will encounter. This year has been made even more problematic due to the Covid – 19 pandemic and with the majority of schools being unable to conduct the yearly intake inductions prior to the summer break. Below we have set a number of helpful points that should be shared with students and parents.
School Transport as from September will operate a close door system that will only allow students to board and no members of the public will be permitted to travel (other than some primary school services). By doing this and under DfE an DfT regulations we can now increase capacity to a full seated load to approximately 60 passengers on Doubles depending on vehicle configuration spec. We would still encourage you to promote walking/cycling or any other mode of accessing school wherever possible to alleviate the pressure on school buses.
Throughout the first few days of term we will monitor service capacity and try to pre-empt overloading problems and provide additional services wherever possible. As with all new terms I ask for patience and understanding to be shown as punctuality of services may be hindered by new students/drivers on new routes in the first week or so. We will endeavour to provide our usual high standard of service and with your assistance hopefully we can achieve a safe School Transport provision.
- School Transport will be restricted to students only (No Adults allowed)
- Capacity will be a full seated load with all students to face forward and remain seated at all times.
- Over 11’s must wear a Face Covering ( other than with a medical exemption)
- Ask students to sanitise prior to boarding and after they disembark.
- Wherever possible request students to remain in their year bubbles
- If paying by cash ensure they have the correct fare as some operators may not return change.
- If using contactless payments check to see if the operator in both directions have the facility. (only GoNE, Stagecoach, Arriva have)
You are advised to check travel arrangements – times and routes as they may have changed.
(NEXUS website ) https://www.nexus.org.uk/covid-secure
South Tyneside school bus service:
https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/guide-buses/school-bus-services/south-tyneside-school-bus-services