Bucks school transport providers go the extra mile during coronavirus crisis

Although schools are closed for the majority of pupils, they are still open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers whose role is essential to the coronavirus response.

Since standard school bus and coach services are no longer running during the lockdown, Buckinghamshire Council has arranged for children to receive personalised transport where no safe and reliable alternative is available.

This has only been possible thanks to the cooperation of 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."