Arriva announce school bus plans for Bucks
They are trying to help students stay safe while traveling to and from school.
Buckinghamshire pupils will have reserved buses to travel to and from school.
Arriva have announced plans to support students in Buckinghamshire as they start to go back to school this week.
The company say that they want to make pupils, staff and family confident about going back when it comes to travel.
Pupils will have access to reserved buses, which can only be used by students from the schools, colleges and sixth forms on the route.
They are being encouraged to use contactless payment or to buy tickets via the app as well.
Simon Finnie, Area Managing Director for Arriva explained the changes in place:
"There are some elements of bus travel that are operating slightly differently this year.
"We will have buses reserved for school, sixth form and college pupils only, the route number for these services will begin with an "S". Pupils from any year group and from any school or college located on the route can travel on these buses.
"If you need to travel on the same bus as pupils from another school then please sit with others from your own school, ideally from your own year group. Where possible we are asking you to maintain social distancing, although capacity on these buses will be increased allowing students to sit next to each other and standing if necessary.
"The seats behind the driver and any facing each other will be taped off and should not be used. We recommend that all pupils over the age of 11 wear a face covering, exemptions apply. Pupils should also carry hand sanitiser with them and use it before getting on and off the bus wherever possible."
The bus company have put together a guide to help people understand what is changing and how they will be travelling this September. www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/coronavirus/school-timetable-information
Simon continued:
"To help increase capacity, we will be using larger buses than normal on certain services and in some cases we will be running two buses at the same time so that both those travelling to and from school or college and those travelling for any other purpose can do so safely.
"As per government guidelines, social distancing will be required on these services and is clearly marked out onboard. All those over 11 will be required to wear a face covering on these buses, exemptions apply."