September  2007

Dear Parent/Carer

BUS CONTRACTS

The school transport operators have recently issued passes for the current session.  Pupils have been allocated to a contract by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) on a geographical basis and lists passed on to the contractor prior to the issue of passes.  The school has no locus in the allocation of pupils to contracts.  The reasons for allocating specific passes are: maintenance of security (unauthorised personnel are not permitted to travel); safety (overcrowding) and for insurance/financial considerations.

SPT make it a contractual obligation for contractors to ensure only authorised pupils travel and hence passes will be checked regularly.  Pupils who persistently attempt to travel without a valid pass may forfeit the right to travel on the school contract resulting in them having to use the local bus service as an alternative or ultimately losing entitlement to free school transport.

Requests for a change of bus should be submitted to the school office for referral to North Ayrshire Council for consideration.  You will be notified by letter of the result of the request.  Please note that SPT is under no obligation to renew any special arrangements made last session.

With the directive from SPT regarding passes now having to be enforced by the bus companies, it is essential that pupils travel on their specified contracts and always carry their passes.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Charles D Waddell

DEPUTE RECTOR