Bus cuts mean Hove pupils face three-bus journey to school (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Bus cuts mean Hove pupils face three-bus journey to school
9:50am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
Youngsters have to catch up to three buses in the morning on the way to school – in a journey that lasts 70 minutes.
As it looks to combat Government cuts, Brighton and Hove City Council has reduced its spending on routes across the city. Hundreds of children have been affected by the changes.
One of the most affected routes is the 52 – which used to run from Woodingdean and Ovingdean to Brighton Station via the Royal Sussex County Hospital – and had an extended run in the mornings to take children to schools in Hove.
The revised shortened route, from Ovingdean to Brighton Marina , means youngsters have to change buses at least once – either in the Marina, on the seafront or the city centre.
Sarah Denham’s 16-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter used the 52 as a direct route to Cardinal Newman School in The Upper Drive, Hove.
Mrs Denham, of Cowley Drive, Woodingdean, said: “They leave at 7.30am and arrive just in time for school at 8.40am. Yesterday was the first day and the bus driver didn’t seem to know the route so they had to run down the hill to make sure they caught it.
“I wouldn’t say the direct bus was the only reason for choosing the school but it was a consideration.
“I understand the arguments about money but they could have mapped out the options before they made the decision.”
The move also affects dozens of children who live in the Seven Dials area of Brighton who attend Blatchington Mill School in Nevill Avenue, Hove.
Dr James Kilmartin, acting headteacher of Cardinal Newman, said: “We were only alerted to these changes at the start of term.
“Obviously some families may be able to make acceptable alternative arrangements but others will really struggle.
“We have not been consulted directly about any of these changes.”
Mr Kilmartin said the school had particular concern about the safety of children changing buses at the stop near Roedean School.
In a message sent to parents, Ruth King, deputy headteacher at Blatchington Mill, said: “We have expressed our concern regarding this to the bus company and you may wish to do the same.
“Concerns could also be addressed to local councillors.”
Difficult decision A council spokeswoman said: “This has been a difficult decision, and we appreciate there will be inconvenience for passengers, but with limited funds available we have had to take into account all services in deciding which routes to subsidise.
“There has been widespread coverage of the review in the media, but we were not able to officially notify the school until the contract was awarded this summer and we have apologised to them for not being able to inform them earlier.
“All other subsidised bus routes in the city will continue to operate or will be run on a commercial basis.”
l Has your child been affected? Tell us by calling Tim Ridgway on 01273 544527 or emailing tim.ridgway @theargus.co.uk
Comments(16)
Nathan_Adler
says...
10:07am Tue 18 Sep 12
No wonder kids are fat if they can't walk the whole.............1.
5 miles give or take!!!
FC
says...
10:20am Tue 18 Sep 12
rolivan
says...
12:21pm Tue 18 Sep 12
joanne_77
says...
1:37pm Tue 18 Sep 12
rolivan wrote:maybe because there isnt that many spaces at longhill? longhill is the only school for a massive area just because you live in the catchment area doesnt mean you will get in and with the lottery in place they have to send some kids to other areas.
Why don't they ride a Bicycle to School.Warren Rd,ElmGrove through to Old Shoreham rd.Better still Longhill School.
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
1:37pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:I think you'll find that Newman is the nearest Catholic Secondary school to Ovingdean, or in fact anywhere in Brighton and Hove.
Do catchment area no longer exist then?
If the parents of Ovingdean chilldren want to send their sproggs to Hove, in effect bypassing about 15 secondary schools, then why should the bus companies pander to their needs?
Even for those who want to go there, if you can't get into Longhill, none of the other schools are anywhere near this end of town.
Dealing with idiots
says...
2:05pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:Thank you Roger
Do catchment area no longer exist then? If the parents of Ovingdean chilldren want to send their sproggs to Hove, in effect bypassing about 15 secondary schools, then why should the bus companies pander to their needs?
bus nut
says...
3:25pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Dealing with idiots wrote:Roger French has nothing to do with this try blaming the green party afteral it was them who cut the funding and give it to another company no-one else
Nathan_Adler wrote: Do catchment area no longer exist then? If the parents of Ovingdean chilldren want to send their sproggs to Hove, in effect bypassing about 15 secondary schools, then why should the bus companies pander to their needs?Thank you Roger
Roger Francais
says...
6:00pm Tue 18 Sep 12
salty_pete
says...
7:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
7:55pm Tue 18 Sep 12
I do agree though, why can't kids cycle or jog to school. My trip used to be a ten mile round journey in all weathers and at almost 50 I still do 25 miles a day. Fit for life.
spencer1973
says...
9:29pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Bob_The_Ferret wrote:Keep religion out of Schools !!! It's about time they scrapped Catholic and other denominational schools, you want religion ?,Then go to church on a Sunday, School is for learning useful things NOT Brainwashing
Nathan_Adler wrote: Do catchment area no longer exist then? If the parents of Ovingdean chilldren want to send their sproggs to Hove, in effect bypassing about 15 secondary schools, then why should the bus companies pander to their needs?I think you'll find that Newman is the nearest Catholic Secondary school to Ovingdean, or in fact anywhere in Brighton and Hove. Even for those who want to go there, if you can't get into Longhill, none of the other schools are anywhere near this end of town.
davyboy
says...
10:24pm Tue 18 Sep 12
jainldn
says...
6:28am Wed 19 Sep 12
davyboy
says...
7:17am Wed 19 Sep 12
jainldn wrote:because operating it would probably put the price into the same bracket as B&H's bid, and that wouldn't do. the big lemon bid would be much cheaper, as they don't run new, low-floor buses and pay their drivers crap wages, but putting on additional services would mean they would have to extend their drivers hours, and maybe even invest in newer buses. and the council do not care for the kids, as they have proven by wanting to cut other school buses. then again, these buses wouldn't be needed if kids all went to their local schools!
Can anyone explain how the school bus was left off the service 52 contract, or did the council ignore the school kid's needs completely?
Allaroundbrighton
says...
4:54pm Wed 19 Sep 12
davyboy wrote:You will find that the 52 was deliberately shortened by the council at the retendering stage as to reduce costs from their transport budget. Similar to the way route 56 has been shortened. All in a bid to save a few £s.
all kids should go to their NEAREST school, regardless of religious beliefs. the greens stuffed this up, by renegotiating the council funded bus routes, and awarding to the cheapest option (the big lemon) and not the best option (B&H). these problems cannot be attributed to roger french, as, if b&h were being paid to run it, they would.
Whilst I agree that catchment areas should be enforced this cannot be realistic if children are to attend certain schools such as cardinal Newman because of its catholic status. As these schools are not spread all over the city.
Now let's face some facts - This is due to the council, not Roger French, our services are some of the best in the country, believe it or not we are lucky to have such a great network of bus routes. Try travelling by Arriva where a single ticket of a few miles costs £3 and £5.80 return.
Whilst I digress slightly, if there is money to be made B&H would be in their like a shot like any private company that needs to return a profit. But the big lemon is a community interest company, thereby all profits are ploughed back into the organisation. So congratulations on winning your contract from the city council BL but let's point out that the BL states on their own website that they will provide services where non currently exist and at reasonable prices etc etc.
Therefore if there are so many children crossing the city paying bus fares to reach schools on the west side of the city then surely there must be a commercially viable option to run a bus. Obviously not otherwise either B&H or BL would be doing it. But as stated the BL is a CIC, maybe these parents should be writing to them asking them to extend their service to Hove. We all know what the answer is going to be, don't we?
Nathan_Adler says...
10:05am Tue 18 Sep 12
If the parents of Ovingdean chilldren want to send their sproggs to Hove, in effect bypassing about 15 secondary schools, then why should the bus companies pander to their needs?