www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Behaviour on School Transport - frequently asked questions
Index of Content
- Is my child required to wear a seat belt?
- I am concerned with the safety of my child’s transport?
- What is the procedure during Adverse Weather Conditions?
- What happens in the event of an accident or breakdown?
- Can friends travel on school transport?
- What is expected of my child?
- Eating and drinking on transport
- Can equipment be carried on transport?
- Is there any safety information issued to those who travel on school transport?
Is my child required to wear a seat belt?
Yes, if the vehicle that your child is transported on is fitted with them they must be worn. From September 2006, it will become a legal requirement for all passengers to wear seat belts on buses and coaches which have seat belts fitted.
I am concerned with the safety of my child’s transport?
Contact the Transport Support and Training Team on 0800 9159910 or email passengertransport@wiltshire.gov.uk and give details of your child’s transport with your specific concerns. We will then implement a full investigation and take any necessary action to ensure that the complaint is resolved in the shortest possible time.
What is the procedure during Adverse Weather Conditions?
At the start of the day: All Wiltshire school closures will be notified by the radio station Wiltshire Sound. Alternatively, parents can either ring the school direct or look at the schools own website for further information.
Should a school close part-way through the day it is the schools responsibility to contact all parents to arrange the early return of school pupils. Transport operators will endeavour to run their normal service early. Unfortunately, this may not be possible if your child uses public transport service buses. For pupils whose parents cannot be contacted, arrangements will be made to keep them at school until the end of the day at which point they will transported home as normal.
Other than this, drivers will be expected to use their discretion as to whether a road is passable or not. Parents, Guardians, and teachers can help operators by advising them of adverse weather conditions in their locality.
Drivers may choose to abandon a journey if driving conditions are deteriorating. In these circumstances, the children will be returned home. If the driver takes the decision to cancel the journey to school then they will have no responsibility for conveying the child home should the child access the school by some other means.
What happens in the event of an accident or breakdown?
In the event of an accident or breakdown, stay on the bus unless it is unsafe to do so. Please follow the advice of the driver - if there is likely to be a delay, they will normally seek help by telephone.
Do not make your own arrangements to get to school or home without first contacting the school or your parents. Drivers will have access to mobile phone or radio so that they can endeavour to maintain contact with their base, the school they serve and the Passenger Transport Unit.
Can friends travel on school transport?
No, each school bus has its own unique contract number. Only pupils issued with a pass for that contract may travel. Anyone else will be turned away by the driver.
What is expected of my child?
A standard of behaviour is expected of children whilst travelling on school transport. If children are badly behaved, causing a disruption or jeopardising the safety of the passengers and other road users, Wiltshire County Council has the right to withdraw their entitlement to transport, either temporarily or permanently. Transport to school then becomes the responsibility of the parents. The cost of repair for any deliberate damage caused to the vehicle by pupils will be recovered by the contractor from the parents.
Eating and drinking on transport
Please be aware that eating and drinking is not allowed on school transport vehicles.
Can equipment be carried on transport?
Additional equipment and baggage will only be carried if there is room and it can be safely stored or secured.
Is there any safety information issued to those who travel on school transport?
The Passenger Transport Unit produces a leaflet entitled “School Transport Bus Code”. This leaflet contains information about Timings, Alterations, Safety and behaviour and it produced to ensure your child has a safe and pleasant journey. If you haven’t already received a leaflet please email passengertransport@wiltshire.gov.uk or call on 0800 9159910 and we will send a leaflet to you.
Contact Details
By Post
Transport Support and Training Team
Passenger Transport Unit
Environmental Services Department
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
passengertransport@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
0800 9159910
By Fax
01225 713317
