Save Our Buses!

Friday, June 02, 2006

In the News

The Evening Times covered the protest on Wednesday. You can read it here.

Well done to all those who came along, the voices had obviously been tuned up before the event! Enthusiastic as always, especially the kids. A big thanks to all those standing against the cut in Wardens and the free buses. A peaceful demonstration heard by the Council whether they wanted to hear it or not!

Own Goal

The (Acting) Head of Service (Curriculum and Policy Development) , a year ago, quite clearly stated that East Renfrewshire Authority's view was that a return to statutory provision of free School Bus services would be detrimental to pupils' safety.
See here (page 29 - last paragraph).

She conceded that a return to the car run would be inevitable which would only add to the pupils risk around schools as well as adding congestion to roads and pollution. Do these arguments seem familiar? Are all these routes now somehow safe? How can that be without consultation from Police or having carried out a risk assessment to re-evaluate them?

It has been stated that buses are not being withdrawn. The free buses that have been available on the grounds of safety are being withdrawn and being replaced by a pay bus which is being actively promoted. How can the Council rebuff their own pupil safety arguments made only last May? The safety conditions around roads and Schools in East Renfrewshire have not improved since then.

A staggering own goal! - Gerry O'Hara