Bus strikes- DS won't be able to get to school what do I do?

[Rolypops]

There are going to be continuous bus strikes in my area from Thursday onwards until a resolution can (hopefully) be reached. We are completely reliant on buses for DS to attend school, I am disabled and don't drive and he as SEN issues that would make traveling in a taxi alone impossible for him ( and that is even if we could get one, which is unlikely with hordes of parents all having to do the same thing) not to mention we just couldn't afford it every day indefinitely. What the bloody hell do I do about his attendance at school in this circumstance? We know no other parents who could drive him and it is miles too far for him to walk. I have emailed his headteacher but she hasn't replied as of yet. I'm massively worried we will be penalised for his (already not brilliant) attendance due to circumstances outside of our control.

speak with the school and explain the circumstances. They may be able to provide you with a solution, or even direct you to company/charity who can provide pick up/drop off. Does your child have a SENCO? speak with them.

DS doesn't currently have a SENCO so doubt we will get any help there. The school he attends has kids coming to and fro from miles and miles away so I doubt we will be the only parents in this position but the email from the head we have received doesn't mention any provision or leniency wrt to attendance, just says we will be updated further.

Is there anyone from school who lives near you, would sharing taxi's be an option?

If pupils travel for miles to the school I imagine there would be a lot of children in the same position.

Would cycling be an option or is it too far.

Is there a service in your area where you say what you need and someone volunteers to do it. I've used our local one once and the person who drove me said that she did it go meet new peop!e

Is it a specialist school, where some children are brought by taxi? If it’s over a certain distance I think a taxi should be provided by the authority. That’s certainly what used to be the case anyway.

Perhaps the school is trying to arrange something for pupils in a similar position to you. Would he be able to travel in a taxi with other pupils? They might be able to arrange that.

So how does he usually get the bus? By himself or with you?

Could you travel with him in a taxi?

Speak to school to see if they can put you in touch with other parents locally either for a lift or share a taxi. Could you go in a taxi to drop him off?

At my DSs primary school there are a few teachers with special car insurance in order to be able to pick up and drop off children in emergencies, usually in cases of poor parental health. I wonder if any teachers could help you out if they have that kind of insurance?

It isn't a specialist school. DS goes by a (usually great and reliable) bus which takes him directly to the school and he gets home the same way. I am hoping that the school will come up with some kind of coach or something to replace the services in the meantime as that is the only way he will be able to get there. Taxis not an option due to his anxiety (would literally find getting into a car with a stranger impossible) and we live rurally anyway and can never bloody get one, even Uber is difficult. Getting the taxi with him (even if we could get a taxi) would be impossible too as I would then need to get it back and do the same thing at home time. It would cost a fortune and be really unreliable.

I am really hoping they allow children to work from home otherwise I don't see a way this will work.

I am hoping that this may be an option as the headteacher is great and understanding so might be able to arrange something though I would absolutely bloody hate putting anyone in this position for us, but again we live miles from the school so no idea if there is anyone local to us that could do that.

Sorry I can't do offer any solution but I'm in a similar situation. I use buses to get to work (in schools). Using a taxi for the distances I do could cost £40ish a day and with the potential increase in demand I may not be able to get a taxi (and prices may be driven higher). I'm hoping the strike doesn't go on for long.