2014-15 Bus Information Townsend Church of England School Townsend Church of England School associated with G.A.Smiths Coaches Ltd. Reg’s Coaches Ltd. Tates Coaches Ltd. D & G Travel Ltd our principal home to school transport providers for our home to school routes Additionally, there are some public buses that also bring pupils to Townsend every day. Details of these services are on P16 of this booklet Tates Coaches Ltd G.A.Smiths Coaches Ltd Reg’s Coaches Ltd D & G Travel Ltd 44 High Street, Markyate, ST. ALBANS. AL3 8PA. The Garage, Chesham Road, Wigginton. TRING HP23 6EJ. 113/115 Codicote Road, Welwyn, Herts. AL6 9TY. Watling Street Kensworth Beds LU6 3QL Telephone contact number 01582 840297 Telephone contact number 01442 823163 Telephone contact number 01438 822000 Telephone contact number 01582 849100 Fax number 01582 840014 Fax number 01442 824799 Fax number 01438 822003 Fax number 01582 842439 Email address Email address Email address ing.co.uk t.com Email address info@tatescoaches.co.uk townsend@smithsoftr regscoaches@btconnec travel@dg-group.co.uk website www.tatescoaches.co.uk website website website www.smithsoftring.co.uk www.regscoaches.co.uk www.dg-group.co.uk 1 2 Introduction Dear Parents/Carers, You may know that from September 2012, our County Council took the decision to abolish most of our school transport as part of their budget cuts. Therefore, through no fault of any of us, we found ourselves in a very difficult situation. Like many parents, we were devastated when the County Council unilaterally announced plans to abolish all school transport except for a small number of pupils who have a statutory entitlement to have transport provided by the County Council. We were determined to try to do something to help our families. Therefore, for many months, prior to September 2012 we worked with many partners to find parents/carers a solution; it was a massive job as around 80% of our pupils used buses every day. After months of research and searching for the best provider for our school, we were delighted that Smiths of Tiring, Tate’s and Reg’s Coaches became our preferred transport providers from September 2012. This was particularly good news because these companies have worked with us in various capacities for many years and we have always found them to provide an excellent service. They always use decent vehicles and their drivers have sound professional and pleasant relationships with our pupils. In December 2012 the routes/providers changed slightly due to changes in the numbers of students travelling from different areas. As a result of these changes, another company, D & G Travel provide a service to the school from the villages of Flam stead, Markyate and Red bourn. I am very pleased to confirm that these four independent companies will be continuing to provide a coordinated bus service for our pupils. Each company has a depot that gives easy access to the main population areas served by Townsend School, and importantly, together these companies have the capacity to provide most of our transport needs. Your feedback and suggestions for the future development of our transport would be most welcomed. Best wishes A. Wellbeloved Head Teacher GOOD NEWS - In order to remain competitive with other transport providers, all four companies have informed us that there will be no increase in the price of their routes for the next academic year 2014/15 – Details of the fares and timetables can be found on page 8 & pages 12-15 of the booklet. Also the companies are now offering the option to pay by monthly standing order thus spreading the cost over the year. 3 A bit about each company Below are extracts written by the companies to tell you a bit about their history Tates Coaches Established in 1947, still under the day-to-day direction of the Tate Family (3rd Generation). Throughout the 60+ years, we have operated a full range of work, with day excursions, British & European tours and have always operated a nucleus of school contract work for Herts CC, Beds CC and private preparatory schools, so you can be completely confident in our ability to operate the services to Townsend School. Smiths of Tring Family owned and run business established in 1958 priding itself on its reliability, cleanliness and personal service. During this time we have, and still do, undertake all forms of coach work including day excursions, private hire and tours / holidays. The company has been operating school contracts for over 40 years serving Herts, Bucks and Beds County Councils along with operating contracts for private schools and colleges. Reg’s Coaches We commenced trading in July 1958 in Welwyn Garden City, conveying pupils to St. Albans Girls School. Over the years, the company grew and in 1969 we moved to premises in Hertford, where we operated 14 vehicles conveying school children to various schools in Hertford, Ware, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and St. Albans. We spent 38 years in Hertford before moving to Welwyn in 2008. This move was due to redevelopment of our old site in Hertford. We now operate 18 vehicles ranging from 29 to 57 seats. The transportation of school pupils is still a major part of our business, including 3 commercial routes and 6 contracted routes on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council. DG Coaches & Minibuses I personally have been in the Minibus & Coach industry for the last 16 years having worked with Herts CC, Central/Beds CC & Luton Borough Council. For Many years we have worked with special need passengers and from my experience and knowledge there I have been able to pay close attention to passenger needs and requirements. I have used that one to one contact to make our company a caring listening company that will go that extra mile to manage and assure our clients of a personal service. 4 Some answers provided by the companies to frequently asked questions Safeguarding and Child Protection What do I do if I have a child protection or safeguarding concern? If you have any concerns, please notify the school and the bus company immediately by telephone or in writing. Ensure in your communication that you indicate that you are referring a child protection or safeguarding issue so that your communication is treated as a priority. Can you confirm that all of the drivers used for school related work will have up-to-date and valid CRB/DBS checks, satisfactory references, sound health and that there are no reasons that you know of why they should not work with children? Please advise how the school can check compliance with this important area as we are inspected by Ofsted and have to prove that we have checked your compliance if you are working with our pupils. Each driver has a valid CRB/DBS (disclosure and barring service – previously criminal record bureau check) badge which they have with them at all times. We hold a list of expiry dates and arrange renewals accordingly. We currently use the services of Hertfordshire County Council to undertake the renewals. Our office can provide copies of their clearance if you request them. Can you confirm that all drivers will be non-smoking or will refrain from smoking while engaged on school related work? We operate a non-smoking policy on all our vehicles. This is written in the staff handbooks and rigorously enforced. Can you give parents/carers assurance that all vehicles used are roadworthy, inspected regularly, serviced as required? 1. Daily inspections are carried out by the driver and any defects reported to the management. 2. A stringent annual test is carried out by the Vehicle Operators Service Agency. 3. 6-weekly inspections and servicing are carried out by our trained mechanics. 4. Records of all of the above are subject to checking by V.O.S.A. Can you confirm that all vehicles used will have working seat belts and that your drivers will make their best effort to ensure that children are aware of them and use them? Seat belts are fitted to all our coaches and are part of the safety checks carried out as shown above. Vehicle signage reminds passengers to wear their belts. Drivers can only request pupils to wear their seat belts; they are unable to force them to do so. Parents/carers need to note this and to ensure that they accept their responsibility of instructing their child to wear the provided seat belt. 5 General Questions Are all the buses that bring children to Townsend supplied by Smiths, Reg’s, Tates or D & G travel? No. Seven routes are supplied by Smiths, Reg’s, Tates or D&G Travel but there are several other public service buses that also bring children to Townsend every day. These are not part of the arrangements described in this booklet but there is information and timetables for these routes on the back page of this booklet. Please note - The arrangements for safeguarding/child protection and the school bus code set out in this booklet are relevant information for all users of transport to Townsend. How do I apply for a place on a bus? To apply you will have to complete an application form for the relevant company and then make a payment directly to the company providing your bus. You will be able to see the terms and conditions and to download an application form from each company website. How will each company organise the collection of fares and the issue of bus passes? Payment of fares will be termly or yearly (academic year). Parents/carers will apply direct to each company for their required route. Payments can be made by bank transfer/standing order, debit card, credit card (this method will incur a fee) or cheque. Cash will be accepted if payment is made at one of our offices. Passes will then be produced and posted out. The setup costs to allow for on-line payment are very high and this would increase fares for everyone. Therefore, currently, we are not proposing to facilitate on-line payments because we already have all of the methods listed above. We will review this in the future if demand for such a service is high. Parents/carers will purchase travel passes/tickets direct from the company responsible for their route. In the future, it could be arranged for all payments to go to one point of sale, but this will add to the overall cost and we are trying to keep fares as low as possible. Would you allow pupils to pay daily to travel? Equipping buses to allow for cash payments is very expensive and the investment is not fully justified as the majority of students wish to pay for their tickets in advance. However it is something that is being constantly being reviewed by each individual bus company and from September 2013, cash payments have been possible on all Reg’s Coaches routes. How will you deal with parental complaints about aspects of your service? On receipt of a complaint, full details are taken from the complainant and then from the driver. The school will also be informed and involved throughout the procedure. Depending on the severity of the complaint, the complainant or school will be informed of the outcome of any action taken. It is worth noting that complaints are extremely rare, but should they occur they will always be taken seriously and dealt with personally by one of the directors. 6 What will you do if your vehicle breaks down? Outline your procedures for a replacement and for “rescuing” any pupils. What is your guaranteed time for a replacement bus/coach to arrive within? Should a breakdown occur, the driver will contact the Duty Manager. His information on the proximity of other coaches would enable him to divert the nearest available relief coach to collect the pupils and continue their journey. Where appropriate the school would be informed. It is impossible to offer a definite “guarantee” but we would expect to provide a replacement within 30 minutes. What are your procedures if your vehicle is involved in a road traffic accident while transporting Townsend pupils? Assuming there are no injuries, the driver’s first action will be to contact his duty manager and his priority will be to arrange a replacement coach should it be needed. If the damage is superficial, the driver will exchange details with the third party and continue his journey Should there be injuries then attention to them becomes the priority. The required emergency services will be called and the School, Company Office and, when necessary, the parent/carer or parents/carers will be contacted. All necessary action will be taken to protect the students at all times. What will be your procedure for dealing with badly behaved pupils? If it is necessary to ban a pupil from travelling, could you explain your procedure for this? We suggest an arrangement similar to that which has been in place in the past, in that should we receive a complaint from a driver we would contact the school for their assistance in dealing with the matter. After an investigation involving the company, the school and the parent/carer, if it was decided a ban is necessary the parent/carer would be notified by the company and their pass would be cancelled until the ban has expired. How will you deal with any damage occurring to the inside of your vehicle? Sometimes minor damage occurs that we repair in-house. Should it be extensive or regular, we would deal with it by investigation, usually with the co-operation of the school, as they may be able to interview pupils to obtain the facts. Should the pupil be identified we would ask the school to assist us in taking the necessary action. This will include recovering the cost of repair and possible withdrawal of service from the pupil involved. The school may also take additional action to support us, to protect other pupils and to protect its reputation. Are there financial implications of an unplanned school closure (e.g. snow, heating failure, strike action)? As the passes will have been issued termly or annually there will not be any financial implications. It will not be possible to offer refunds as our fares have been calculated to keep them as low as possible and there is therefore no reserve fund to cover our costs in such 7 events. Parents/carers need to understand this before accessing our transport system. To keep fares as low as we have we need to have a policy of no refunds in any circumstances. It is also worth remembering that on Cathedral days the buses do not take children home but the buses are used to take them to the Cathedral – so there are still two journeys. Parents/carers also need to note that there will be no refunds for students who vary their transport times and pattern of transport for external examinations or because they learn to drive or are not required to attend school daily for things such as examination revision or for disciplinary reasons. This is because it would add significantly to costs for all other families to administer and over the years all families will share these issues fairly – and remembering we have already done all that we can to make the fares as low as possible for everyone using the buses. Is there anything else that you want us to know? 1. All our drivers must have Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licences and these are regularly checked by the company to ensure compliance. All drivers are currently undergoing regular retraining in order to obtain driver Certificates of Professional Competence. 2. Our companies are required to hold operators licences issued by the Traffic Commissioner. 3. They are also required to have insurance for both passenger and public liability. Copies of these are available for your inspection. How much will the transport cost? For Smiths, Tates and Reg’s the cost of each termly ticket will be :- : Autumn Term 2014: £366.30 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Spring Term 2015: £262.35 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Summer Term 2015: £316.80 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Annual Passes: £945.45 less 5% = £898.18 per person. For D & G Travel Autumn Term 2014: £388.05 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Redbourn £329.44 Spring Term 2015: £277.93 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Redbourn £235.95 Summer Term 2015: £335.61 per person. (under £2.50 per journey) Redbourn £284.92 Annual Passes: Discounted to £917.96 less 5% for early payment = £872.06 per person. Redbourn Discounted to £779.95 less 5% for early payment = £740.95 BUT ………HELP IS AVAILABLE IN SOME SPECIAL CASES – read the next page …. 8 How can we help you? The Governors and Friends of Townsend (PTA) have offered to subsidise the cost of transport for another year for those in financial difficulty. This is because they recognise that for most families these fares, although cheaper than the alternatives and cheaper than what the County would have charged if still running the buses, they are a still an increase in fares paid previously. For some families the costs of transport will be significant as they were previously subsidised completely by Council Tax payers via the County Council budget – because they got places at Townsend as they were baptised into the Church of England or were registered on a Church of England Parish Electoral Roll. The unilateral cancellation of that subsidy by the County Council brings significant additional costs. These families may find it helpful to read the ‘A special additional help fund’ section below. To subsidise transport is an expensive business. Governors have therefore decided to allocate again a contribution of £30,000 and the Friends of Townsend (PTA) will also be putting aside some money to contribute to this fund. Please note that we are always looking for new fundraising initiatives and volunteers for existing fundraising activities/events organised by the Friends of Townsend. Everyone at the school believes very strongly, that no one should be prevented from coming to our school because of the financial problems that the County Council decision to abolish most school transport brings to many families in very difficult times. How to apply for financial help If you want to ask for financial help/support, you should register your request initially by writing confidentially to the Head Teacher. He will then arrange for a form to be sent to you for completion. A committee has been established by the school governors to deal with your request so that it is treated independently and fairly with all other requests. If you need help to write your letter/fill in the form then we can arrange for someone to do this for you. If you want that help, please phone the school office and leave a short message with your contact details and we will get someone to contact you in confidence. Plus - Free Transport for some We understand that at the present time, those who are registered for free school meals could also have transport to our school provided free by the County Council. To find out more about this you will need to contact the County Council on 0300 123 4043. If you want to apply for Free School Meals you can find out more below. It is very easy to apply or to find out if you are entitled to Free School Meals. Please find on the following page application information from Hertfordshire County Council. 9 How to apply for Free School Meals Hertfordshire County Council has introduced new, convenient, ways to apply for Free School Meals. Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is working to promote Free School Meals and educational benefits to make sure that as many eligible children and families as possible get the support they are entitled to. HCC is the first local authority to introduce the new ways to apply for Free School Meals described below. We believe these innovations will encourage even more people to apply. The information will be of particular value to families that are new to your school, it may also help others whose circumstances have changed and who are now receiving appropriate benefits. The new services. In addition to applying via: - computer at www.hertsdirect.org/freeschoolmeals - telephone to the Customer Service Centre at 0300 123 4048 during opening hours Parents can now apply for free school meals using: - smartphone - web enabled mobile phone - Games console e.g. playstation/Wii & X-Box - DigiTV making it more convenient and easier than ever for families entitled to education benefits to access support. Instructions are below How to use the new services for applying for Free School Meals Applicants using a Smartphone just need to go to the Android Market or iTunes App Store and search lookinglocal to download the app. Those using a web enabled mobile or games console simply enter www.lookinglocal.gov.uk/hertsdirect into their browser. DigiTV users follow the menu choices depending on their service. Sky 1. Go to channel 539 – The Community Channel 2. Press red 3. Choose Southern England 4. South East 5. Hertfordshire 6. Hertfordshire Virgin 1. Press Home 2. Choose interactive 3. Choose News & Info 4. Looking Local 5. Choose Southern England 6. South East 7. Hertfordshire 8. Hertfordshire 10 Or … 1. Go to channel 233 – The Community Channel 2. Press Red 3. Choose Southern England 4. South East 5. Hertfordshire 6. Hertfordshire Currently 50% of applications for Free School Meals are made online. The launch of the new service means that even more families will be able to apply quickly and easily for the benefits they are entitled to and that will make a real difference to their lives, and to the attainment of their children in school. For more information on free school meals and other educational benefits in Hertfordshire, and the qualifying benefits, visit www.hertsdirect.org/freeschoolmeals Timetables are shown on the next few pages 11 Bus Details Route numbers - In order to make the routes easily recognisable the route numbers for all 4 companies are prefixed by the company’s starting letter(s) eg Tates service from Highfield/Grovehill/Warners End is known as the T51/52. Remember that there are some other public service buses also bringing children to Townsend every day and you can find details of these services on the page 16 of this booklet (timings correct at time of printing). Also see details on that page relating to the purchase of SaverCards that give ½ price fares on these routes. Routes - The bus timetables for 2014/15 The timetables on the next few pages show details of our dedicated school routes and times. (Other bus timetables are on page 16.) G. A. Smiths Coaches Ltd. The Garage, Chesham Road, Wigginton. TRING HP23 6EJ. Telephone contact number - 01442 823163 Fax number - 01442 824799 Email address - townsend@smithsoftring.co.uk website – www.smithsoftring.co.uk S80 Hemel Hempstead, Seaton Road Hemel Hempstead, Belswains Lane, Oliver Rise Hemel Hempstead, Nash Mills, Barnacres Road, School Hemel Hempstead, Bennets End, Bennets End Road, Shops Hemel Hempstead, St. Albans Road, Longlands Townsend School 07:50 07:52 07:55 07:59 08:04 08:30 S88/S8 Hemel Hempstead, Chaulden, Long Chaulden, Northridge Way Hemel Hempstead, Long Chaulden, Lucks Hill Hemel Hempstead , Warners End, opp. Stoneycroft Shops Hemel Hempstead, Warners End Road, opp. Gravel Lane Hemel Hempstead, Warners End Road, Gadebridge Road Hemel Hempstead, Combe Street, Stop 21 Hemel Hempstead, Adeyfield Road, opp. Broadfield Road Hemel Hemsptead, Adeyfield, Adeyfield Road, Great Road Hemel Hempstead, Adeyfield Road, High Street Green Leverstock Green, The Leather Bottle PH Townsend School 12 07:48 07:50 07:53 07:54 07:56 07:59 08:02 08:04 08:06 08:10 08:30 Reg's Coaches Ltd 113 / 115 Codicote Road, Welwyn, Herts AL6 9TY. Telephone contact number - 01438 822000 Fax number - 01438 822003 Email address - regscoaches@btconnect.com Website - www.regscoaches.co.uk R11 Birchwood, Birchwood Avenue, Opp. Chelwood Ave Longmead Birchwood, Cornerfield, Opp. Hopfields PH Hatfield, Ground Lane, Cecil Crescent Hatfield, Woods Avenue Oxlease, Travellers Lane, Oxlease Drive South Hatfield, Travellers Lane, Millwards South Hatfield, Bishops Rise, Opp Garden Avenue Hatfield, Bishops Rise, Vigors Croft Hatfield, The Galleria, Stop A Hatfield, St Albans Road West, Ellenbrook 07:30 07:40 07:42 07:43 07:44 07:46 07:48 07:49 07:51 07:52 07:55 Townsend School 08:23 R22 Mardley Hill, Great North Road, Opp. North Star Welwyn, Church Street, Carleton Rise Welwyn Garden City, Bessemer Road, Opp. Pumping Station Welwyn Garden City, Black Fan Road, Sylvan Way Welwyn Garden City, Cole Green Lane, Opp. Lt Gannett Welwyn Garden City, Heronswood Road, Salisbury Road Welwyn Garden City, Mill Green Road, Holwell Road Welwyn Garden City, Hollybush Lane, Leigh Common Welwyn Garden City, Howlands, Linkfield Welwyn Garden City, Stanborough Road, Longcroft Green Welwyn Garden City, Stanborough Road, Park Welwyn Garden City, Great North Road, opp. The East PH Hatfield, Champion Road, opp. Mulberry Mead Townsend School 13 07:22 07:27 07:32 07:39 07:44 07:46 07:49 07:50 07:52 07:55 07:57 07:59 08:05 08:25 R33 Elstree, Elstree Hill South, Sullivan Way Elstree, High Street/Rogers Close Borehamwood, Furzehill Road opposite Ashley Road Borehamwood, Furzehill Road Baptist Church Borehamwood, Shenley Road opposite Glenhaven Ave Borehamwood, Theobald Street / Kingsley Ave Borehamwood, Theobald Street, opp. Wetherby Road Radlett, Watling Street Post Office Shenley, Porters Park Drive opposite Andrews Close Shenley, Porters Park Drive opposite Fielders Way Shenley, Porters Park Drive opposite Gwynn Close 07:25 07:27 07:33 07:36 07:37 07:39 07:42 07:47 07:57 07:58 07:59 Park Street, Old Red Lion 08:12 Park Street, Park St Lane opposite Oliver Close 08:14 How Wood, Park St Lane opposite Burston Drive 08:16 How Wood, Penn Road, The Shops 08:18 Chiswell Green, Tippendell Lane opposite Barry Close 08:20 Townsend School 08:35 Tates Coaches Ltd 44 High Street, Markyate, ST. ALBANS AL3 8PA. Telephone contact number - 01582 840297 Fax number - 01582 840014 Email address - info@tatescoaches.co.uk website - www.tatescoaches.co.uk T51/52 Hemel Hempstead, High Street Green, Branksome Close Hemel Hempstead, Jupiter Drive, opp. Martian Avenue Hemel Hempstead, Jupiter Drive, opp. Saturn Way Hemel Hempstead, Solway, opp. St. Paul's Church Hemel Hempstead, Cambrian Way, Westerdale Hemel Hempstead, Aycliffe Drive, opp. Crawley Drive Hemel Hempstead, Grove Hill, Aycliffe Drive, opp. Shops Hemel Hempstead, Washington Avenue, opp. Basildon Square Hemel Hempstead, St. Agnells Lane, Dawley Court Hemel Hempstead, Shenley Road, Arkley Road Hemel Hempstead, Shenley Road, Denham Close Hemel Hempstead, Shenley Road, Dunster Road Hemel Hempstead, Shenley Road opposite Coleridge Crescent Hemel Hempstead , Woodhall Farm, Shenley Road, Cuffley Court 07:43 07:45 07:46 07:47 07:48 07:50 07:51 07:53 07:54 07:56 07:58 08:00 08:02 08:04 Townsend School 08:29 14 D & G Travel Ltd Watling Street Kensworth Beds LU6 3QL Telephone contact number - 01582 849100 Fax number - 01582 842439 Email address - travel@dg-group.co.uk Website – www.dg-group.co.uk DG 43 Markyate High St opposite Fire Station Flamstead, High St opposite The 3 Blackbirds Redbourn, Dunstable Road opposite Aysgarth Road Redbourn, High St opposite the Fish Shop 07:57 08:03 08:09 08:11 Townsend School 08:30 How to buy a bus pass. Contact the bus company directly:Smiths of Tring Reg’s Coaches Tates Coaches D & G Travel 01442 823163 01438 822000 01582 840297 01582 849100 OR download an application form from their website:Please then return the completed form to the bus company with the appropriate fee or documents/information for paying by standing order etc. Smiths of Tring Reg’s Coaches Tates Coaches D & G Travel www.smithsoftring.co.uk www.regscoaches.co.uk www.tatescoaches.co.uk www.dg-group.co.uk 15 Other buses serving Townsend The buses listed below are not operated by Smiths, Tates, Reg’s or D&G Travel. In addition to the buses listed earlier that are being provided by Smiths, Tates, Reg’s and D&G Travel, there are a number of other public bus routes that bring large numbers of pupils to Townsend every day. These buses are not part of the arrangements described earlier in this booklet but they do provide a valuable additional service to our school. N.B The buses listed below are the most popular routes but there are of course other routes available. Arrangements for fares are made with each company and usually Hertfordshire residents buy a SaverCard to reduce the daily cost on these public buses. Saver Card – only usable on public buses and not on the service provided by Smiths,Tates, Reg’s or D&G Travel. HALF FARE BUS TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS AGED 11 to 18 - (excludes Transport for London services) If you are aged 11-18 in full time education and resident in the administrative county of Hertfordshire you can apply for a Hertfordshire SaverCard that will run within an academic year, for example if you apply for 2014/2015 the card will be valid up until the 30th September 2015. This can be renewed every academic year as long as you still qualify. There is a charge of £20.00 per application, per academic year. N.B New academic year applications cannot be made until after August 1 st. Families that live outside Hertfordshire, need to confirm subsidy arrangements with their home Local Authority. Financial Assistance If your family is on low income, you may qualify for one Hertfordshire SaverCard free of charge each academic year. These applications must be made on a ‘How can we help?’ team. Please telephone 0300 123 4050 for further information and/or a form or alternatively you can apply on-line. Apply on Line - copy and paste into your address bar - http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/savercard/default.aspx About SaverCard - copy and paste into your address bar - http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/savercard/AboutSaverCard.aspx 84 (Metroline) New Barnet Station, Stop A Barnet High Street, Barnet Church Potters Bar Bus Garage Potters Bar Station - Stop B Potters Bar, Cranbourne Road Sth Mimms St Albans Rd, White Hart PH London Colney Sainsbury’s Stop1 London Colney, Kings Road St Albans, Mile House St Albans, St Peters Street High Oaks, (same road as Townsend) 305 (Centrebus) 07:05 07:11 07:23 07:30 07:34 07:39 07:47 07:56 08:03 08:13 08:25 652 (Uno) – (route change) Brookmans Park, opposite Bradmore Grn, Welham Green, Dixons Hill Rd, Stop D Colney Heath High St, opp Roestock Lane Smallford, Station Road, opp Wilkins Green Lane Oaklands, Hatfield Rd, Colney Hth Lane Fleetville, Hatfield Rd, Morrisons St Albans Station, Stop D St Albans, St Peters St, Stop 13 St Albans, Green Lane, opp New Greens Ave High Oaks (same road as Townsend) 07:30 07:35 07:42 07:47 07:51 07:55 08:12 08:18 08:25 08:27 653 (Unō) Garston, St Albans Rd, opp bus garage 07:31 St Albans Station, Stop D 08:01 Bricket Wood, Mt Pleasant Lane opp sch 07:36 St Peters St, Stop 11 08:12 Bricket Wood, West Riding, opp North Riding 07:40 How Wood, Penn Road shops 07:45 St Albans City Hospital, Stop B High Oaks (same road as Townsend ) 08:17 08:24 Chiswell green, Three Hammers St Albans Abbey Station, Stop B St Albans, St Peters Street, Stop 11 Harpenden Road opp The Ancient Briton New Greens Estate, New Greens Ave New Greens, Cavan Drive (100m from school) 07:49 07:54 08:04 08:07 08:09 08:11 321 (Arriva) – further stop details available Watford High Street Stop C Garston Garage, TGI Fridays Chiswell Green Sandridgebury Lane/Harpenden Road S1 (Unō) – not a direct route. Cell Barnes Estate St Albans Station, Stop D Transfer to 653 (Unō) New Greens, Cavan Drive (100m from school) 07:43 07:53 08:01 08:25 321 (Arriva) – further stop details available 07:25 07:47 08:04 08:36 Luton Station Interchange Luton, Church Street, Stop C9 Harpenden, George Sandridgebury Lane/Harpenden Road 07:20 07:28 07:54 08:11 For additional information – the Intalink Partnership, c/o Passenger Transport Unit, Hertfordshire County Council, County Hall, CHN101, Hertford, SG13 8TJ. Telephone 0300 123 4050 16 TOWNSEND CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL SCHOOL TRANSPORT CODE The school Transport Code is made for the safety and consideration of students, members of the general public and other passengers. This code applies to ALL journeys in coaches, buses and mini buses. ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL Students are expected to queue at bus stops in an orderly way, remembering that they are wearing Townsend uniform. Misbehaviour is damaging to the school’s reputation. SEAT BELTS When using the school mini buses or buses and coaches fitted with seat belts, it is compulsory to use seat belts for all journeys. Seat belts are fitted to keep you as safe as possible. DURING THE JOURNEY 1. 2. All students are to remain seated throughout the journey. Bad behaviour is unacceptable and will result in the application of the school discipline code, and could result in the loss of the right to use the school bus. 3. There should be no moving up or down stairs, or around the vehicle, whilst it is moving. 4. Students must not be standing near to, or distracting the driver during the journey. 5. Smoking while travelling or waiting for buses or coaches is not permitted. 6. No food or drink is to be consumed while travelling. 7. There should be no shouting or behaviour inconsiderate to other passengers. 8. Students are to wear full school uniform, until they reach home. 9. Making signs or gestures to people outside the vehicle is not allowed. 10. No litter should be left on the bus. 11. The bus driver will only collect/drop off students from advertised stops on the bus route All these regulations are to make the journey as safe and comfortable as possible for you and other passengers. WAITING FOR THE SCHOOL BUSES AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY 1. At the end of lesson 5, those students using school buses should proceed to the tennis courts via the back of the school. It is unfair if students board buses before those who have queued. No student should leave the school via reception or walk across the front of the school to access the tennis courts. This area must be kept clear for visitors. 2. Students should wait sensibly in their allocated areas on the tennis courts (Years 7 & 8 on the lower courts and Years 9 & 10 on the top courts) Year 11 outside the large canteen and Years 12 and 13 at the front of the school. This makes it easier for the teacher on duty to load the buses as quickly as possible. 3. Students do not board buses until permission is given by the duty staff. Running to board a bus before it has stopped could cause an injury. 4. A student who leaves the school premises will not be allowed to board a bus that leaves from inside the school site. It is unfair if students board buses before those who have queued 5. Students will not be able to board buses without an approved bus pass. Failure to abide by all of these rules could result in the loss of the use of school transport. Parents/Carers are asked to read the school Transport Code and discuss it with their child. 17 You can use this page for your notes and personal record of payments 18