First Great Western Cause Overcrowding on a School Bus

[whole diary]

[Conner]

Due to the engineering work between Truro and Falmouth this week buses were replacing trains. This meant my school bus was used for this, the bus they use on this service is a 50-seater coach which is always full. But the commuters got priority over us school children so we got left with a 37- seater bus. This meant many people had to stand up. How come the rail replacement bus used couldn't have been this bus or another bus so my school bus could have operated without overcrowding. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are so tight they can't hire buses they have to use there sister companys putting out nearly 50 school children. How is this right?

[Mookiemoo]

Due to the engineering work between Truro and Falmouth this week buses were replacing trains. This meant my school bus was used for this, the bus they use on this service is a 50-seater coach which is always full. But the commuters got priority over us school children so we got left with a 37- seater bus. This meant many people had to stand up. How come the rail replacement bus used couldn't have been this bus or another bus so my school bus could have operated without overcrowding. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are so tight they can't hire buses they have to use there sister companys putting out nearly 50 school children. How is this right?

Not defending FGW BUT....

I my day (I'm only 31) kids were expected to give up their seats to adults I used to get a clip round the ear hole if I didnt). 

I see nothing wrong with school children having to stand if it means more adults get a chance of a seat

[vacman]

Also, First putting their trains before busses for once! and the Falmouth is a busy branch so the extra capacity was probably needed.

[Conner]

The thing is Corwall Transport Unit quite clearly state every child should be seated for the journey and has a seat "reserved" for them. This is an example of First breaching the rules of a tender.

[martyjon]

The thing is Corwall Transport Unit quite clearly state every child should be seated for the journey and has a seat "reserved" for them. This is an example of First breaching the rules of a tender.

Well report the circumstances to the County's Schools Transport unit then as a responsible schoolboy.

[Mookiemoo]

The thing is Corwall Transport Unit quite clearly state every child should be seated for the journey and has a seat "reserved" for them. This is an example of First breaching the rules of a tender.

right,  And I often have a seat reserved for me on a train but in a time of crisis (or general numptiness) I get standing room only.

hmmm ......... i'd stop digging.

[Conner]

The thing is Corwall Transport Unit quite clearly state every child should be seated for the journey and has a seat "reserved" for them. This is an example of First breaching the rules of a tender.

Well report the circumstances to the County's Schools Transport unit then as a responsible schoolboy.

Have done many times. They put someone on the bus to monitor it so First purposely put on a bigger bus as soon as they suspect anything. As soon as the person on the bus goes so does the bigger bus.

[martyjon]

The thing is Corwall Transport Unit quite clearly state every child should be seated for the journey and has a seat "reserved" for them. This is an example of First breaching the rules of a tender.

Well report the circumstances to the County's Schools Transport unit then as a responsible schoolboy.

Have done many times. They put someone on the bus to monitor it so First purposely put on a bigger bus as soon as they suspect anything. As soon as the person on the bus goes so does the bigger bus.

Well keep your own tally, daily record the Registration Number of the bus and also its fleet number and when its of insufficient size to accomodate all your fellow students and yourself seated as in accordance with the Countys Transport Policy, report it.
First MUST keep a record of bus used / duty allocated / driver involved in case of complaint, speeding, etc so it shouldn't be necessary to put a checker on the bus to check your story.

A number of years ago when my mother was ill I temporarily moved in with her and  used to travel back to my home on an evening once or twice a week to pick up my mail, stay overnight and travel back the next morning. The morning service punctuality was abominable and as it was a council supported service I complained. First threw their hands up and admitted the punctuality issue to the County was reality and were forced to revise the duty so the punctuality improved and it did. Needless to say when the contract came up for renewal, First upped their tender as they had been forced to divert a peak hour resource to enable the supported service to operate to time and thus priced theirselves out of the market.

[screwit]

Every bus has a seating limit - however (I think it is still the case), this seating limit applies to adults.  When carrying children busses are permited to carry 3 for every 2 adults, i.e. a 37 seater bus becomes a 55 seater bus.  I know it doesn't work in practice but in theory you had enough seats to carry the 50 kids!

[Conner]

Every bus has a seating limit - however (I think it is still the case), this seating limit applies to adults.  When carrying children busses are permited to carry 3 for every 2 adults, i.e. a 37 seater bus becomes a 55 seater bus.  I know it doesn't work in practice but in theory you had enough seats to carry the 50 kids!

There is no way everybody could go 3 to a 2 seat. Maybe a couple but not everyone.

[devon_metro]

You should try my school bus that I am occasionally forced to use.

It was a double decker, then it was a new double decker, then a large single decker, then a small single decker, and the other day a bus with 23 seats!

Its absoultly CRAZY with half the bus standing.

[smokey]

Bus dont talk to me about buses.

Give me a crowded train over a Bus anyday.

I've not always been good in my life and When I die I bet

HELL IS A NEVER ENDING BUS RIDE.