Hers my question hope you can help. My Daughter gets a school bus to school every morning and evening which I pay for privately, but most mornings and evenings there is no seat available for her to sit on as she is one of the last people to get on the bus, the bus then has a 20 min journey to school most of this journey is on a fast duel carriageway and according to my daughter there can be several pupils standing up on this journey I have raised this with the school who decide which bus company they appoint and intern they say take it up with the bus company Thanks Chris

Millions of commuters are in the same position. From 30mph or 60mph coming to a dead stop will cause both and sitting passengers serious damage.

if this is a private bus service then the information for public services does not apply - I feel that like all equipment for use at work the bus should be suitable for its purpose so again take this up with the school as it appears that they may only want to pay an amount as against what is really needed and they are controlling the situation so they have liabilities for this control

Surely educational achievement / setting higher goals has no affect on if you'll be commuting by public transport? Thousands of high flying city professional will most likely commute into London!

FYI, within the last couple of weeks an Aberdeenshire bus company driver operating under a contract to the local authority has been suspended as a result of taking 1 passenger above the bus seating number (to avoid an extra journey) and getting 2 children to share a seat and seatbelt for the first couple of miles along a quiet country road. This received local publicity because the Council has responded to a campaign by parents. etc. and require that all school bus drivers insist that their passengers use seatbelts. No publicity yet about the investigation, what risk assessments, if any, were reviewed, or the ultimate fate of the driver and/or the contract held by his employer (there had been previous complaints, but not about seat belts I think). It's interesting to learn about the different standards that are being applied - though of course the roads in each area vary as well, so maybe some are risk based?

As I thought - your contract is with the bus company. My information at #4 is valid. A convenient body-swerve by the Education Authority!

Think it missed the mark Ron. I should add I have stood in first class all the way from London (despite having a pre-booked seat in the first class carriage). Public transport? Never use it. It's a disgrace. I sympathise over the kids school bus thing. I complained endlessly over the state of the buses my kids were being sent to school on. What does it take? A tragedy? Seat belts should be manadatory on school buses, even if privately run.

Thanks Bob some interesting information, I have pended an e mail and will be sending it later to day , lets see what sort of response of the bus company comes back with chris

Hi All just to keep you posted I have sent a e mail to the bus company asking for there response and the risk assessment for pupil's standing on 28th of November and surprise surprise no reply to date I will keep you informed of there reply once I receive a reply I will be making a call on Monday Chris