18th November 2010

We've been featured in Hampstead and Highgate Express!

In November of 2010 we were featured in the Hampstead and Highgate Express, the full article can be read below.

Is this the way to beat school run nightmare?

Education Reporter Charlotte Newton tries out the latest US-style school bus and finds it a popular option for children and parents alike.

BILLED as the best way to beat the school run traffic, new Americanstyle buses are up and running in Hampstead, delivering scores of children to the school gates every day.

I decided to try out the service and yesterday joined 20 children on their daily commute from Islington to Hampstead.

Set up by Marta Baschwitz, a mother-of-two, Transport4Schools runs eight buses which ferry children on routes from Holland Park, St John's Wood and Maida Vale, Islington, Totteridge, Muswell Hill and Crouch End to prep schools in NW3.

Our journey began at Holloway Road at 7.15am where spirited bus driver James Kelly and Islington route chaperone Tracy Ringe picked Mrs Baschwitz and me up. "I first suggested this project two years ago," Mrs Baschwitz, who comes from Madrid and lives in Kentish Town, explained. "I thought it was unusual to have so many people in Hampstead and no school buses. In Spain we have school buses – that's how children get to school." Although she planned to offer the service to state and prep schools, a survey of parents at some of the local state schools revealed they would only use it if it was state-funded.

Camden Council was supportive of the idea, but said it was unable Education Reporter Charlotte Newton tries out the latest US-style school bus and finds it a popular option for children and parents alike to provide any buses or funding. So Mrs Baschwitz pressed ahead with the scheme herself; sub-contracting a private bus company to provide the shuttle buses and drivers and employing the chaperones. It launched in March and now transports 100 children across London. The service costs parents £4.25 per child per journey.

Our first stop was near Highbury, where a mother sprinted down the road with two children and their satchels in tow. The door opened and 11-year-old Noah Breuss-Burgess and his five-yearold sister Anna Claire hopped on. "Where's Asa?" Tracy enquired after their 10-year-old brother. "He'll have to make his own way if he doesn't come soon. I'm tired of hounding him in the morning," their mother replied from the pavement. Then, a boy, with a football tucked under his arm, darted across the road and jumped on the bus. "Where's your coat?" his mother shouted, as we pulled away.

"One of the benefits is that we offer a very personalised, door-todoor service and there are chaperones on every route," Mrs Baschwitz continued. As she said that, we pulled up at a smart looking front door in Islington. It opened and a small boy scurried out, his mother still in her pyjamas. Inside the bus, with the heating on and the radio blaring, spirits were high.

"Yeah the bus is quite good," Asa said. "If I miss it – which is quite often – I try to get a lift from a friend or I take the Tube." His brother Noah, sitting opposite, added: "I think it's good. I get to school on time it's the best way for me to get to school because none of my friends live near me."

More children got on the bus at various points, with a parent waving them off at the start of their school day.

On this route they are dropped off at Cavendish School, The Hall, Hereward House and Trevor-Roberts and The Village School. The route is complete by 8.15am. "Once they come on the bus, they don't want to go back into the car with their parents," Mrs Baschwitz added.

Now comes her plan to expand the scheme to other London boroughs. "I want to speak to Miriam Clegg and get her to support it," Mrs Baschwitz said. "This could benefit not just Camden but the whole of London."