‘Driver shortage means our kids aren’t getting to school on time’

KINCHBUS APOLOGISES AS IT BATTLES TO MAINTAIN ROUTES

PARENTS are fed up and angry after several “no-shows” from a key bus service meant that their children have not been able to travel to school.

Kinchbus, which runs the number 2 bus route from Loughborough to Leicester, has failed to turn up in Sileby on at least four occasions in the past two weeks - prompting uproar among parents in the village.

The operator has apologised for any missed services, blaming a shortage of drivers due to both illness and delays with the DVLA issuing licences.

Janine Symonds said that her daughter, who has special needs, relies on the service which also visits Quorn, Barrow, Sileby, Cossington and Birstall.

She said: “Recently the 7.35am service has not shown. This means she is left in the cold until the next bus, which will mean she is late for school and missing out on her education.

“Kinch have asked me to put her on the train or taxi and they will refund me the money, but on most occasions she only has bus fare with her.

“She is 13 and has special needs so messing up with her routine affects her autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

“Unfortunately I have been unable to get her school any other way as I have no car.”

ADHD, the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children, affects how they pay attention, sit still and control their behaviour.

Janine said she also uses the service on Sundays for transport to swimming lessons, but the service has again not shown up.

She said: “I don’t blame the drivers as they are doing shifts everywhere, as some have been given different routes.

“When I complain to the company I get the same response every time.”

The company replied to Janine to say peak buses were being prioritised, but there was a “limited amount” that could be done given the lack of drivers.

Hayley Sharpe said her 17-yearold son relies on the number 2 bus to get to Loughborough College every day. She said: “If he waits for the bus and it doesn’t show up, by then he’s usually missed the train too.

“I then have to drive him which means I get caught up in the rush hour traffic and I have to get back for work.

“It’s very stressful, especially when fuel is still hard to get. He has started a new course, so doesn’t like to be late.

“I contacted them last year while he was at Leicester College due to buses not turning up, so it’s an ongoing problem.”

A spokesman for Kinchbus said staff illnesses have added to the existing shortages.

He said: “We have been coping with driver shortages, partly due to staff illness.

“As everyone will be aware, there is also an industry-wide shortfall in qualified drivers. We are actively recruiting and training new drivers but there are national delays in obtaining PCV (People Carrying Vehicle) provisional licences.

“We apologise to any Kinchbus 2 customers who have experienced a service delay recently.”