Dad urges action over ‘appalling’ school bus service
It could be time for Kent’s traffic commissioner to be called upon to intervene over an “appalling” bus service, after fresh criticism from parents over its poor performance.
Fed up dad Nick Stewart, 57, has rallied against Arriva after his 15-year-old daughter, a student at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, was forced to walk home in the dark when the number 155 bus home failed to show up.
Now MP Tracey Crouch and county councillor Peter Homewood have suggested filing a complaint with the traffic commissioner for London and the South East, Sarah Bell.
Appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, commissioners have the power to fine or strip firms of their licences.
Mr Stewart, from Bull Road in Eccles, said: “People are absolutely raging, the quality of service is appalling.
“My daughter has been turned away from the bus many times because it is full, she has had to get other buses and then walk across fields and traffic in the dark to get home.
“When we first moved here 18 months ago, she walked six miles home from school.
“This isn’t just about her, we’ve got kids as young as 11 and 12 years old left in the dark.
“The service does not reflect what we have to pay.”
Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch spoke with Mr Stewart about the route, which runs from Chatham to Maidstone, last week.
She said: “The 155 service is not known for its reliability and we’ve suffered for a long time with school children unable to get to school or turning up late.
“I’ve written to Arriva many times about the service. I think we’ve had enough complaints for the traffic commissioner to be contacted.”
That opinion is shared with Cllr Peter Homewood, who, according to an email seen by the Kent Messenger, has called on Kent County Council (KCC) to put together an official complaint with the traffic commissioner.
An Arriva spokesperson said: “Our customer feedback is particularly important to us and we will be looking into the issues experienced on the 155 route to see how the service might be improved.”
Cllr Homewood has been approached for comment.