This Code of Practice has been designed to provide Parents/Pupils with advice on transport to Schools/Colleges.
It explains how we expect pupils to behave when travelling to and from their school or college. It advises parents of ways in which they can help to make their child's journey safer and more pleasant. Finally it advises schools, drivers, escorts and operators of their responsibilities.
The Council is committed to providing a service that meets the requirements of pupils, parents and schools. We work with others to ensure that what we provide is operated in a safe and efficient manner.
We work with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA, formerly the Vehicle Inspectorate) to ensure that all vehicles meet strict Government safety and maintenance requirements.
We work with the Criminal Records Bureau and the Police to ensure that all drivers and escorts on school contracts are suitable for working with children.
We work with operators and schools to deal with pupil misconduct. We will assist operators in identifying pupils who damage or deface vehicles and support any reasonable action taken against a pupil who is found to be behaving in this way. Equally we will support pupils, parents and schools if they have justifiable complaints against operators or drivers.
Home-to-school or college transport in Thurrock is the responsibility of the Children, Education and Families Directorate. Every day we arrange and manage transport and contracts for some 4,000 pupils. The Passenger Transport Unit is responsible for the day to day operations of these contracts.
Some pupils are entitled to free home-to-school or college transport. Advice and information concerning eligibility for free travel can be obtained from the links below:
An application form will need to be completed to apply for transport.
The Passenger Transport Unit will make the travel arrangements when an application has been approved. The pupil will be allocated to a contracted vehicle (bus or taxi) or a pass will be issued for use on a public (local) bus or rail service.
For pupils not entitled to free transport, a concessionary seat may be available on payment of a fee. There is no obligation on the Council to provide a concessionary seat and pupils eligible for free transport will always be given priority in the allocation of seats. If you wish to apply for a concessionary seat please contact the Passenger Transport Unit (see contacts section).
The Passenger Transport Unit acknowledges the assistance of the Department of Children, Education and Families, schools, colleges, VOSA (Vehicle Operating Services Agency formerly the vehicle Inspectorate), operators and others in helping to draw up these guidelines. Please note that this information is intended to provide guidance only. It cannot cover every eventuality or circumstance. It does not attempt to describe all statutory requirements relating to school/college transport.
Please look through the information. You will see that it contains good advice. Whether you are a pupil, parent, driver or a member of a school's staff, try to follow the advice given. If you have any further queries, please contact the Passenger Transport Unit, the Department of Children, Education and Families, or the relevant school/college (contact details).
The full booklet is also available as a PDF file (please see how to access PDFs):
