Bicester parents are desperate as there are no more seats on school buses

Bicester parents were told there were no more seats on the Grayline bus, contracted by Oxfordshire County Council, just days before their children were due to return to Gosford Hill School in Kidlington.

Many parents have said Oxford Mail they have safety concerns for their children, who now have no choice but to take public transport.

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Oxfordshire County Council says it is working with the school and parents to try to find a solution.

Lisa Rafferty’s daughter, who is in year 10 and live in Ambrosden, or have to take a lift to school or take public transport – a trip consisting of two and a half public buses kilo of walking.

Ms Rafferty says she has safety concerns for her daughter, who now doesn’t get home until between 6am and 7am.

On three occasions, her daughter missed the connecting bus, making her journey even longer.

“For me, it’s really difficult and upsetting that she doesn’t have the school transport she’s had for the last four years,” Ms Rafferty said. Oxford Mail.

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“It’s upsetting and stressful because every day I have the anxiety of ‘is he on the bus?’ Is she safe? What time will he be home? ”

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said Oxford Mail the situation appears to have arisen because the school’s former transport provider allows some children to pay a fee to travel each day.

The council said this was an “unofficial arrangement” used by children who are “not eligible” for transport provided by the local authority.

“We hope that our discussions with the school can identify another service that this group of children can use,” the spokesman added.

Frances, who did not disclose her last name, said her daughter started at Gosford Hill in Year Seven and still has to take two public buses to get to school.

She added: “I feel it’s not fair to the children.”

Mumba Salubi’s son, who is in year 11, also needs public transport to school because the school bus does not stop in Merton, the village near Bicester where they live.

Gosford Hill School in Kidlington (Image: River Learning Trust) “We have to leave Merton to go back to Bicester to get to Kidlington. We are all stranded,” said Mrs Salubi.

“It’s not really a good way to start the year, now you have to worry about how you’re going to fly home.

“It’s very unfortunate, it made me worry so much for my son because before there was a safer way. I constantly have to check on him.”

Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller said he was “really concerned” to hear about the situation and hoped the situation would be “resolved quickly”.

Mr Miller said: “It couldn’t come at a worse time, as students return for the start of a new school year.

“I am pleased that officers from Oxfordshire County Council have arranged a meeting at my request this week with parents and Gosford Hill School to explore solutions.”

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Chris Bateman, deputy headteacher at Gosford Hill School, said: “This is an issue beyond our control – but we recognize that it is causing significant distress to students and their parents/carers.

“We will continue to support those members of our community affected by this while the responsible parties seek a resolution.”

A spokesperson for Grayline Coaches added that they have had numerous communications with the school and the council and are working closely with them.

A meeting is planned at the school this afternoon (September 19) between the parents and the council.