Taxi Driver Online

Essex County Council rapped for school taxi service worries

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n ... ol-2513758

Parents are concerned as the taxis don't have seat belts

Children as young as five are being transported to school alone in taxis after an Essex County Council (ECC) contracted transport service had to stop using buses.

ECC has been criticised by parents, concerned that they are being asked to send their children to High Beech school in Epping in cabs without child seats.

The council says it is working with principal contractor, Karen’s Buses, to ensure alternative arrangements are made that comply with the council’s policy and guidance for the provision of education transport after LCB Travel ceased operations.

In August ECC changed the contracted bus company, replacing it with Karen’s Buses which had been using LCB's vehicles.

However since last week, parents are being expected to place children alone in cars with no car seats.

Parent Ellen Cooper, who had to stop using the bus service last year following the changes to the contract, said: “Now we have children as young as five being put into minicabs on their own.

“One of the parents is now refusing to send their child to school until it is resolved because of the issues with putting her child into a cab.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council is aware of the situation resulting from the sub-contractor, LCB Travel, ceasing operations and has been working with principal contractor, Karen’s Buses, to ensure that alternative arrangements are made that comply with the council’s policy and guidance for the provision of education transport.”

Karen Rainbird, who runs Karens Buses said: "It’s an emergency situation. I have had cover for those children. I only learnt about it on Monday night. There were two buses on the route on Tuesday morning."

She added: "I appreciate everyone's concern. But I assure you that I am doing everything with ECC to get the matter resolved."