More buses are being laid on in York this term to help children travel to and from school.
First York is introducing duplicate bus journeys on key routes serving local schools to ensure there is capacity to enable pupils to travel safely.
From today (Monday), 28 extra trips will operate every weekday during peak morning and afternoon periods at the beginning and end of the school day across eight services.
Details of the extra timetable can be found by visiting a dedicated page on the company’s website.
The additional journeys have been planned following analysis of passenger numbers during a corresponding period at the start of the 2019 academic term, now that social distancing means capacity on the bus is currently limited to approximately 50 per cent of seats.
Managing director of First York Marc Bichtemann said: “Our team is well used to planning for the beginning of the school year, but has really put in a lot of additional work on timetabling and a meticulous review of operations due to the restrictions currently in place to enable everyone to travel safely.
“This has been completed in partnership with the transport and education teams in the local authority, as well as schools to anticipate demand and we look forward to welcoming pupils back on to our buses.”
Wear a mask
The company is also using an anti-viricidal long-lasting sanitiser across its fleet and conducting enhanced cleaning of all touchpoints and surfaces on the bus on a daily basis, and during selected stopovers between service changes.
Marc Bichtemann added: “We also advise all students it is the law to wear a face covering on the bus, unless under 11 or exempt and encourage everyone to following the public health guidance to wash hands or use a sanitiser before and after travel.”