DD school bus always late

[BusFusses]

I’ve gone NC for this.

DD has started year 7 so it’s only week 2 here. The bus has been late every day since she first started. She feels quite stressed when she gets in because of the time. She was nearly 30mins late today. I’ve tried to reassure her over text this morning but now I’m feeling terrible because it feels like we’re not doing our best to ensure she gets to school on time. The bus is always late getting to her pick up point too.

Aibu to speak to school and raise my concerns or is it too early in the day? The traffic is really bad on their route so perhaps they need to change the times for pick up?

This is the first time I’ve a child going on a school bus so don’t know how best to approach this.

Aibu wait, don’t raise concerns now

Ainbu raise concerns now, they might be able to do something about it

Guessing that if this is a school bus, then she won't be the only one, so the school must be aware?

My daughter didn't like that her school bus came late because it gave her little time in the morning at school, but on the other hand she used to miss the bus when it was here earlier 🤨 I never raised it with the school, but 30mins late to school is extreme, so in your shoes I would raise it.

How was the transport sorted? I found a phone number for the council transport department on the application form and rang it. I got given a number for a guy who was always in sorting morning transport issues, and used to ring him every time my child rang me saying they were going to miss first lesson. Often my call was the first they knew of any delay..... it used to get better for a few days, then start drifting.

Honestly, it only really improved after the bus was 40 mins late one evening, and the teachers had been standing outside in the rain with the kids. Then I think the school put a rocket up somebody's backside, and it all settled.

We've moved house to be walking distance from school now DC2 has finished primary. When the bus works, it's great. When it doesn't, it's a nightmare.

Are there any normal buses she could take? I only used the school bus the first couple of times because the kids on it were feral. They hung out the windows, jumped on seats, one set fire to a tie so we were on the normal bus after the first week.

I’ve told my DD that but I’m wondering is raising my concerns with school would do anything at all. I’m hoping other parents might do the same…

30mins, she’ll have missed quite a bit of her first lesson. She was never late for primary so she’s not liking it.

If it's a school bus then surely the school need to arrange it to set off earlier?

I think the school arranged it themselves. It’s an independent school.

I think you’re right- sure the children might be missing lessons in the morning but even it causes a little bit of distraction, it’s not really impacting staff.

Is it a council/education run bus?

If so contact them.

It might just be that they are getting into the swing of things, it being the start of a new term.

We had this last week with DS but it has improved this week as the driver is more familiar with his pickup schedule.

It’s an odd route. She’d probably need to take about 3 buses and it would take even longer.

She does say the kids are silly at the back bit nothing too bad. 🤞

Just seen your update.

Contact school then.

I like your username. I wish the bus would
make like vroom and get DD there on time!

Yes tell the school and (assuming it is reasonable) share the reply, it calms kids to see the home-school partnership working properly.

If it is a school bus not a public bus then you need to talk to the school.
Not complicated.
Surprised you are paying for an independent school yet don't seem to know who arranges the transport.

Uncanny, I could have typed your OP, I even wondered if it's the same school!

Almost similar for us except that DC are in Year 9, they've been taking the school bus since the start of secondary, only occasionally had a late arrival at school but this year it's been terrible every single morning. DC said that it's because some new roadworks on the bus route have made the traffic really appalling. They're missing form time (registration) every day and sometimes the start of the first lesson.

We too are wondering about contacting the school and suggesting they shift the bus timetable slightly earlier.

If everyone is assuming someone else is putting in a complaint, then nobody will be. Of course others on the bus will be late to school too, so the school should be aware. But it is a problem, especially if they’re all in different classes therefore there’s no ‘obvious’ link; everyone just gets marked late.

Oh I feel your pain my ds has exactly the same. Also just started year 7 we live rurally so council arranged bus is his only option. His form tutor threatened him with detention should he be late again...needless to say I fired off a rather strongly worded email over this!

Maybe our girls were on the same bus……DD. 30 mins late for school yesterday, she was also getting stressed. I’ve noted the date for when her report comes as last year she had a few late marks but she always goes on the school bus so in my book they don’t count.

The reason for her bus being late yesterday was totally unreasonable, I’m not going into detail here but have made the school aware it’s unacceptable.

I would contact school. Bus issues here too ( not late) and have contacted the school. It's the school's daily for me as poor communication with the bus ( also independent secondary). Feel for your DD, mine was stressed last year and they did alter collection time without me having to raise. This year's issues are different!

Fault not daily. Sorry.

Presumably you are paying for the bus and the school fees.

I'd complain to the school. Loudly !

Is she getting into trouble for being late?

Please contact school and let them know and ask them to sort it. For my sins I was once involved in school bus scheduling - it really is as every bit soul destroying as you can imagine.

The school is likely aware. One of two things are happening in the background

• school and bus company know the road works are due to finish so are hoping the problem will go away by itself so they're keeping quiet and worrying about other things.
• school is arguing with bus company to a change schedule and bus company are resisting. Could be for a number of reasons such as bus is used for something prior to the school run, or driver shifts, doesn't really matter but logistics for a bus company are complicated and cumbersome. Anyway if this is the case parent pressure helps the school push back to bus company.

Either way talk to school. It's really stressful for kids - some more than others - to be late each day.

I definitely say something! Especially as you are presumably paying for this bus.

Not sure what you mean by being surprised tbh but thank you for your input.