Features
Yellow school buses are about not just about a bus painted yellow. Each operation is different, but here are the key points that characterise a yellow school bus service.
- They can provide a near door to door service using yellow buses that are designed with the safety of passengers in mind.
- Each bus can have the same driver, every day, giving parents and students the reassurance they need to use the service.
- Safety training can be provided so that students know what to do should an incident occur.
- Drivers of yellow school buses are checked with the Criminal Records Bureau and can be given additional training in managing child behavioural issues.
- Calculated per billion passenger kilometres, travel on public transport is nine times safer than using the private car.
- The service offers the opportunity for a partnership between parent, school, local authority and the bus operator.
- The yellow school bus can create a climate where children arrive at school in a more disciplined frame of mind and better prepared to start the school day. They can also offer an early warning of truancy.
- 20% of morning rush hour traffic is attributable to the school run. Encouraging parents to put their child on a yellow school bus could help reduce the number of cars on the roads, helps reduce exhaust emissions and improves the environment for everyone. Yellow school buses could give children and parents the opportunity to reduce their own carbon footprint.
- Widespread use of yellow school buses potentially could generate modal shift from car to bus, reducing traffic congestion and speeding up traffic flows.
“Yellow bus gives parents peace of mind, as the buses are Northampton School for Girls controlled buses. I know that we can monitor what is happening on the buses and that the students will travel to school safely and happily because they are effectively in the school environment the minute they get on the bus. Easy, safe travel to school encourages good attendance and helps to raise standards.”
Penny Westwood, Headteacher of Northampton School for Girls.
“The reason why the American-style yellow bus concept has been adopted is that, frankly, it works. It’s recognisable to everyone, and synonymous with safety, quality and reliability.”
Tim Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Runnymede Council
