Stand-up row over school bus deal

Friday 19th January 2007, 12:00AM GMT.

THE company who ran the school bus service for almost three decades has said that the service now being provided by Connex is unacceptable because too many children are being forced to stand.

According to Tantivy Blue Coach Tours director Mike Cotillard, Connex were aware of the number of schoolchildren on the buses before they took over at the start of this term. Education say they do not want crowded buses carrying children to school and have told Connex to sort out the problem by the start of next week – but Mr Cotillard says there is no excuse for children regularly standing on the buses. Mr Cotillard said: ‘I have been dealing with the school bus contracts for Tantivy for the last 14 years, firstly with Education and then with Public Services, and in all contracts I have negotiated with these departments it was made clear that children had to be seated.

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