Pupils quit sport over bus problem

Community council identify service issues

Efforts are underway to solve transport issues which forced Balfron High School pupils to drop out of sport and other activities.

Balfron Community Council raised the issue of transport at its latest meeting.

Members heard that Stirling Council had reported that their demand responsive transport service, which replaced the C8 between Balfron and Glasgow, was working well.

However, feedback from parents and pupils at Balfron High was said to be very critical of the transport provision and the discontinuation of funding for bus passes had made the situation worse, “making attendance at after school activities practically impossible for many children who faced paying full fares several times a week”.

At a recent Stirling Council meeting Councillor Graham Lambie asked education convener Alistair Berrill about the complaints.

Councillor Berrill said: “Officers are working with the school to find bespoke transport solutions for each of the villages within the Balfron catchment area.

“Further analysis of data to confirm participation trends is being undertaken.

“To support and encourage participation in after-school opportunities school staff have already held assemblies for all year groups to inform pupils of available transport arrangements and ensured that information on bus services and DRT is available in school newsletters and emails.”

Officials said during term time pupils are able to travel home from after-school activities by bus on the C12 service at 5.12pm from Cotton Street to Buchlyvie and Kippen; bus service B10 at 4.40pm from Buchanan Street to Killearn and Strathblane route; and DRT for Croftamie, Drymen, Gartmore, Aberfoyle and Fintry.

Councillor Berrill added: “The DRT service operates at the cost of a bus fare, rather than a taxi fare. Pupils can use their national entitlement cards on these routes.

“Officers have been liaising with the commercial operator to modify the bus times to better support pupils access after-school activities.

“These discussions have been progressed, with an agreement reached on December 6 to change the B10 4.40pm service journey to commence from Balfron High at that time before serving Buchanan Street, a concern already expressed by parents, particularly in the winter months when the evenings are dark.

“A start date has yet to be agreed with First Midland Bluebird but Stirling Council will provide a letter of support for early introduction to the traffic commissioner.

“A private transport provider is working with parents in the Fintry area to ensure they are transported home.”

Following a meeting held at the school with council officers in early December, a number of other measures were agreed.

These included that the school would make a block DRT booking from the school to Drymen, departing at 4.50pm from January until April, 2017.

This will allow pupils to indicate their requirement each day. Information will be passed on to the DRT operator and the service can be cancelled if necessary, with usage monitored during the pilot period.

First will be asked to consider a reduced fare on both the B10 and C12 journeys. The DRT fare table will be reviewed to bring fares more in line with bus fares.

The school was also said to have agreed to tell parents to keep the bus turning circle clear.

Officers are working with the school to find solutions for each village