School transport is changing
We have had the following communication from Buckinghamshire Council.
- The Council contracts bus operators to provide school buses for eligible children.
- Contracts are being renewed and we’re ensuring new contracts provide best value for money to the taxpayer.
- Many Council-run bus services carry very few eligible children – in some cases none at all.
- We need to focus our resources on our obligation to carry eligible children.
New commercial school bus routes
- Those routes that carry few or no eligible children are being taken over by bus companies as commercial school bus routes from September 2021.
- These bus companies will sell tickets directly to parents, and are responsible for setting ticket prices at a level which makes their services financially viable.
- Commercial school buses link
Changes to routes
- Remaining Council school bus services will have changed routes and pick up points to focus on travel for eligible children.
- Average journey times will remain unchanged, but individual journey times may change because of the realignment of routes.
- Timetables for September will be available on the website by 15 August.
The Spare Seat Scheme
- We’re still providing available spare seats to paying parents, though the number available is much reduced.
- Online applications are currently open, and applicants will hear the outcome by the end of July.
- All children who can no longer have a Council spare seat will be able to buy a seat on a commercial service – either one run for school children only or a public bus or train.
- Spare seat scheme link
Further information
- Full information on home to school transport for mainstream school buses and transport for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) can be found at:
- School transport link
Parents can contact us via the online web form:
From September, Motts Travel are going to be providing the buses between Prestwood and DCGS and will charge £950 a year. Red Rose Travel will be providing the coaches between DCHS and Prestwood for two hundred pounds less (£750 a year) even though it’s further to travel.
When Neale’s had the Prestwood to DCGS contract last year, the coaches weren’t great but the route was better. The timetable provided by Motts Travel shows that it will take 42 minutes to get from Prestwood Village Hall to DCGS in the mornings and 50 minutes to get from DCGS to Prestwood Village Hall in the afternoons because the buses will now go via Hyde Heath, South Heath & The Lee whereas they used to only have stops in the Kingshills, Great Missenden & Prestwood.