TRANSPORT SECTION

The Transport Section has the responsibility for the procurement of home to school transport for around 4,000 mainstream, special needs and IW College students who have been assessed by the Education Department as being eligible for a scholars term ticket.

Most transport for mainstream scholars is procured using services provided by Southern Vectis or Wightbus, but number of small independent contractors vehicles are also hired in. Efficient scheduling techniques within the section often permit multiple usage of vehicles hired for school transport, or for children to travel on existing public bus services thereby safeguarding the continuing operation of these services for workers as well as scholars. These techniques have lead to some of the lowest unit costs per student in England

Students with special educational needs are generally conveyed by Wightbus or by local taxi operators. Specialist safety seating is provided where a need is identified and highly trained passenger assistants are routinely employed by Wightbus or wherever an additional requirement for more personal support or assistance has been identified.

A rigid set of criminal record checks is routinely employed for all drivers and passenger assistants employed on school contract operations

Particular emphasis is placed upon the safety of children and to this end; initiatives such as the School Transport Code of Good Practice and the use of CCTV on buses have been introduced. Bad behaviour by students that puts at risk our staff, the staff of our contractors, fellow passengers or other members of the public or other road users will not be tolerated. We appreciate that the overwhelming majority of those who travel on school transport services do so in an appropriate manner and we will endeavour to make their travel to school experience as pleasant as possible.

If you would like further information on the home to school transport services that we provide then please contact us