Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can siblings travel together in the same bus if they go to different school?
In most cases, yes, as we are organising the buses by routes and not by schools.
2. What is the longest amount of time that the bus will take from start to finish?
It will depend on where you live, but usually from 10 to 50 minutes. The morning run is generally quicker than the afternoon.
3. Are the bus stops close to the schools on arrival?
Yes, we drop the children outside their school. We have established a system with most of the schools, whereby they provide an usher for the children between the bus and the school. We also have chaperones inside all our buses.
4. Are the pick up points within walking distance from our home?
Most of them. We try to do our best to make the bus stops as close to a group of families as possible. The pick up points in your area will depend upon demand at the time of the booking.
5. Do we have to commit to 5 return journeys a week?
We ask you to pay per term, then you are able to use the bus any time you like. This helps us to plan our journeys and keep our prices low.
6. Is it possible to request one-way journeys?
The same as above. You pay for return journeys for the term but can make use of the bus one way or return at your convenience.
7. How much will it cost?
Each term will differ, depending on the length of the term. Autumm term will be more expensive, as it is the longest; and summer, the cheapest, as it is the shortest.
8. Is the cost the same per child if he/she has siblings using the service?
Yes, we cannot offer a siblings policy, as we are working with a private bus company not the Council.
9. Will the junior school children have to wait for their older siblings?
Sometimes, depending on the bus route. The schools are willing to provide a siblings club for those who have to wait.
10. What will happen if my children have after school clubs?
At the moment we are only running one bus timetable in the afternoons, but, according to demand, next year we might introduce a late bus for the after school clubs.
11. Is there someone on hand to accompany the young children in the bus?
Yes, apart from the driver there will be a chaperone provided by Transport 4 Schools with each bus. All the chaperones are CRB (criminal records) checked. They will supervise children's safety, coordinate with parents and assist the driver.
12. How would the chaperone know who is authorised to take the bus?
The chaperones carry a list of the children using their bus and the contact numbers for their parents/ carers, plus contact numbers for each child's school.
13. Can children bring friends on the bus when they have a playdate?
Yes, they can. You will have to send an e-mail to our office asking if there is room available that afternoon and let us know the name of the child coming and we will inform the chaperone. The cost is £3.50 for the trip. You can hand the money to the chaperone on your bus.
14. What happens if we arrive late to the bus stop in the mornings?
The bus is only allowed to wait if it arrives early, otherwise it must procede on to the next bus stop. You should call the chaperone and can catch up with the bus at a later stop.
15. What happens if we arrive late to pick up our child/children in the evening?
You must immediately call the chaperone and let him/her know. If they have sufficient time they might wait for you at their discretion. Otherwise the bus will travel on and you must pick your child up at a later stop.
16. What happens if my child is ill and will not be going to school that day?
You should send a text message to both our office (on 07512 322 952) and your bus chaperone, as soon as you know, so that we don't worry about your child and avoid delays with the bus.
17. Is this bus service subsidised by the Council?
No, Camden Council is only helping us by providing parking bays for our buses and allowing us to have parking permits to wait on single yellow lines. This will help us to drop and collect children in safer places. This service has been entirely subsidised by Transport 4 Schools.
18. Will parents book their children's bus tickets via their school, or the Transport 4 schools website?
Once your school becomes part of our 'School Bus Project', parents will enter into a contract directly with us when booking our bus service for your school. All these bookings will be handled by Transport 4 Schools Ltd. through our website.
19. How will payment be made?
Payment can be made directly through the web site, or by cheque.