School buses policy to be firmed up

Education bosses fear there will be a shortage of buses for schoolchildren amid uncertainty over distancing requirements, it is understood.

Scottish Government guidance is awaited on school transport for the return to class in August, including whether children will be required to wear face masks and whether protective screens will be required on coaches.

Thousands of pupils across Fife and Tayside travel to and from school by bus, and with less than five weeks until the start of term local authority officials remain in talks with transport operators on their provision.

An Angus Council spokesman said: “We continue to work on the arrangements for school transport in August and await further national guidance in relation to physical distancing requirements.”

It has, however, urged parents of new P1 and S1 pupils entitled to transport to ensure applications were submitted as a matter of urgency.

A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Further guidance is awaited from the Scottish Government regarding physical-distancing requirements on school and local bus services to determine what capacity there will be on buses and whether face coverings for pupils and drivers will be required.

“Many more school buses for entitled pupils will be required in August 2020 if physical distancing is necessary.”

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We are in discussion with the bus companies and details will be released to families when arrangements are confirmed.

“We are also awaiting further guidance on the operation of school transport from the Scottish Government.”

In Fife, head of education Shelagh McLean said: “Arrangements are well advanced for pupil transport and a number of scenarios are being worked on.

“Fife, like other local authorities, has been liaising with the Scottish Government on some operational matters and we are waiting for guidance, which we expect soon.”

Picture: PA. Masks could be required.