Concerns have been expressed at the state of some school buses being used to transport pupils in West Lothian.
St Kentigern’s in Blackburn recently highlighted the mammoth exercise it has in making sure 1100 plus of its pupils get to and from the school every day by bus – it's clear that managing timetables can be tricky.
And while parents complain about travel times, and the occasional non-arrival of transport, many are also unhappy at about the poor condition of the buses being used.
One said: "It’s not just the times that are a problem. They get on buses with the windows hanging out, and it’s freezing.”
Councillor Stuart Borrowman raised questions about general busing issues at the January meeting of the Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee when Andrew Sharkey, the head teacher of St Kentigern’s, had spoken.
And this week Councillor Borrowman said: “I’ve received a number of complaints about the condition of some school buses, notably that some are not wind and watertight. That can’t be acceptable for our youngsters travelling to and from a day’s learning.”
A spokesman for West Lothian Council said that any parents with concerns should contact the public transport unit.
They said: “Transport operators are responsible for the condition, maintenance and safety inspection processes for vehicles in order to comply with the requirements of the operator licence. It is a mandatory requirement of West Lothian Council’s Conditions of Contract for School Transport Services to meet these requirements.
“The council’s Public Transport Unit inspect all school transport contracts on an annual basis to ensure the contract is meeting the requirements of the contract conditions. Where a vehicle is found to be of a standard below what is expected in terms of cleanliness or condition this is immediately raised with operation and improvements actions requested.
“Where any parent or pupil has a concern regarding the condition of a vehicle we would ask that they continue to report this to the council’s Public Transport Unit.”
