Bus Timetable

2022/23

Timetable

FARE STRUCTURE  

The costs of the school bus service are mainly covered by the school but we do ask parents to contribute a small part of the cost as well.

The fares are included on the school bill and you will be charged in advance of the next term.

Fares are worked out on a zoning system as shown below that reflects the distance travelled from Wells.  

We also offer family discounts for subsequent siblings.

Example:        One child in zone 1                = £7.00 (no discount)

                Two children in zone 1         = £11.90 (2 x £7.00 - 15%)

                Three children in zone 1        = £15.75 (3 x £7.00 - 25%)

                Four children in zone 1        = £21.00 (4 x £7.00 - 25%)

It is possible to book a more flexible bus service for the academic year.  Options include full time bus use (Monday-Friday, AM & PM), individual days (e.g. Mondays & Wednesdays AM & PM), and/or half days (e.g. AM or PM).  The price structure is as follows. Please note that the chart shows the equivalent daily cost of the service but we always charge by the term not by the day.

Please note that priority is always given to pupils who need to use the bus service full time.  Should a parent select single or half days, and a new bus user requires that space full time, then the part time seat would need to be relinquished.  However, the parent would be informed before this happened, and given the opportunity to switch to full time bus usage.

Booking Form

To book a seat on the bus, please complete the form below;

https://wells.cathedral.school/bus-request/

Ad Hoc Bus Journeys

Should there be a space available on the bus, it is possible to book ad hoc bus journeys.  A minimum of 24 hours prior notice is required and the cost will be £7 per journey, irrelevant of the zone. To book an ad hoc seat on the bus, please call 01749 834270 or email travel@wells-cathedral-school.com

Sibling discounts apply to all but ad hoc bus usage.

Giving Notice

We require one billing term’s notice in writing, should you no longer require your place on the bus.

ETHOS

The Wells bus service is a constantly evolving scheme designed to be flexible to the needs of its customers.  However, there are several factors that remain constant and these are set out below to help explain the philosophy behind the service.

Safety

• Schools across the country experience the same problems at the start and the end of the school day – the chaos and dangers that can ensue when large numbers of cars arrive to pick up children.  The school bus service can do much to alleviate this problem by ensuring that pupils are picked up and dropped off in safe locations and by making it safer for pedestrian students to leave the school grounds.
• All the vehicles used by the service are fitted with seat belts and serviced regularly.

The Environment 

• The environmental benefits of using a bus scheme over car transportation cannot be emphasised enough.
• Living in rural locations can make it all too easy to depend on private transportation due to the lack of public transport. It is for this reason that it is so important to use these services when they are offered and I strongly urge you to consider it.

Independence

• There is little doubt that the children gain a measure of independence and self-reliance by making their own way to school.
• Having to be on time to catch a bus is an excellent way of developing punctuality and time management skills that are so important throughout life.
• The bus drops the pupil right outside the school in the morning and in the afternoon the younger children are always escorted by an adult, to Woodlands Workshop where they catch the bus home again.

Activities and Homework

• Presently the return buses leave at 5.15 pm. This means that children can use the time from the end of formal lessons till then to take part in activities, or to do their homework supervised by a member of staff.
• The timing of the buses may also coincide well with working parents who do not return home until such a time themselves.

Routes

• The timetables overleaf are based on the needs of the current users. However, if you would like to request a new stop, or even a new route, please contact the bus manager who will do their best to accommodate your needs. If there are several pupils coming from the same direction we will do our best to add a route but if we cannot perhaps you could consider car sharing?

Complaints Procedure

Whilst we strive to run a reliable and efficient bus service, we recognise that at times problems may arise that we will need to resolve.

Any complaints about any aspect of the bus service, or indeed any suggestions to improve it, should first be directed to the Pupil Travel Coordinator, not to the bus company.  They will endeavour to resolve any problems as quickly as possible.  However, in the event of a more serious problem, the Pupil Travel Coordinator will liaise with the Bursar, Peter Knell, as to the best course of action.

Contact Details

Pupil Travel Coordinator

Wells Cathedral School

The Bursary

Wells

Somerset

BA5 2SX

01749 834270

travel@wells-cathedral-school.com