School transport providers go the extra mile during coronavirus

Buckinghamshire Council has thanked the drivers and care assistants who are working behind the scenes to ensure that vulnerable children and the children of key workers can continue to get to school during the coronavirus lockdown.

Although schools are closed for the majority of pupils, they have responded positively to a request from the government to continue providing schooling for vulnerable children and the children of key workers whose role is essential to the coronavirus response.

Many vulnerable children already have existing transport to school that is tailored to their particular needs. But because school bus and coach services are no longer running, Buckinghamshire Council has  arranged for the children of key workers to  receive personalised transport where no alternative safe and reliable means of travelling to and from school is available, thanks to the cooperation of the transport providers at short notice.

In addition, transport providers have been supporting the community response to coronavirus by taking adult care staff to and from work, and transporting vulnerable ‘shielded’ adults to medical appointments and care providers.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport Mark Shaw said: “Our thanks go to the drivers and passenger assistants who have stepped up at short notice to make sure continuing students get safely to and from school, and to help adult social care services run smoothly. They are playing a very important part in the joint effort to combat coronavirus.”

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Our schools responded quickly and effectively to the current situation, supporting families and the community by providing continuing schooling for vulnerable children and those children whose parents who have a key role in seeing us through this epidemic. This continuing school attendance wouldn’t be possible without the people who are providing home to school transport behind the scenes.”