Relief for parents as an extra school bus lined up

New-term transport worries are eased by coach company

Nervous parents of new Homewood School pupils were delighted to discover that their children will now have transport to the Tenterden school from their homes in Ashford.

Several families living in Godinton Park and near Ashford’s Matalan shop have spent the best part of the summer holidays seeking alternative arrangements to get their children starting in Year 7 to and from Homewood in time for the new term starting next week.

Poynters Coaches, which operates the bus routes HS1 and HS4, recently reported waiting lists of about 35 children for each bus.

But parents were thrilled to find out that the company will now provide a relief bus to cater for the extra children.

Barry Poynter of Poynters Coaches said: “It is the relief service to relieve the other two vehicles.

“We came to a mutual agreement with Kent County Council. We have taken another driver on.”

The relief bus will be a doubledecker vehicle capable of accommodating 78 more pupils from the two stops at Godinton Park and Great Chart.

Mr Poynter said: “As far as we know, the people on the list we have got, we can get on.

“We should know more as the term starts next week.”

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “Poynters Coaches are putting on the extra service. There will be three running now.

“Services are provided by Poynters and are not contracted or regulated by KCC.

“We believe it’ll be sufficient to cater for demand but will monitor it over first few days of term to be sure.” Many parents have paid up to £270 up front for an annual travel pass for their children, but there is no guarantee of a space on services across the county.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Barry Poynter of Poynters Coaches