School bus service slammed

Lee Searle, whose daughter travels from Stotfold to Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton, said the buses continually break down.

Since the 13-year-old started at the school in September her bus has broken down four times and Lee has had to take her by car.

He has also driven other children from Stotfold on five occasions after buses on different routes broke down.

Lee has now lodged an official complaint with the council.

He said: “I took seven children to school on Wednesday in two separate car runs.

“I got a call two or three weeks ago from my daughter. She said ‘I’m sat on Arlesey bridge. My bus has caught fire.’ Arlesey bridge is quite dangerous for a 13-year-old. They were told to wait one to two hours for a bus.

“I will be driving up and down seeing kids walking along the carriageway because the buses keep breaking down.”

Lee also said the bus is not properly cleaned.

Councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for sustainable communities services at Central Beds Council, said the authority is carrying out a full investigation including checks of its contractor’s service, maintenance and cleaning schedules.

He said: “If we find that they are not adhering to the terms of the contract we have with them we will take action, including the replacement of the vehicle or terminating the contract if we feel that is necessary.”

Children are told to stay in their seats until a replacement bus arrives, although they cannot be physically stopped from leaving.

Mr Spurr added: “We do take this issue seriously. We will be updating the parents on this route with any developments as soon as we can.”