COVID-19 guidance for school transport

Coronavirus update

We’ve been working with Public Health and our suppliers to introduce safe working practices to keep our customers and staff safe.

We recommend that face coverings are still worn on dedicated transport to school or college, unless otherwise exempt.

We want to ask parents and carers to continue thinking about using sustainable alternatives where they can, such as walking or cycling. We’re looking at what measures can be put in place to help make this possible.

Children and young people travelling on dedicated school transport

  • do not use school transport if your child is displaying Coronavirus symptoms or if self-isolating
  • you must only travel on the school bus route assigned to you by North Somerset Council
  • please ensure social distancing as much as possible when waiting for the school bus
  • please make sure your child washes their hands in line with the 20 second Government guidance prior to leaving home to catch the bus.
    • If possible, sanitise their hands before boarding the bus and again on disembarking
  • please ensure your child boards the bus in a calm and orderly manner
  • once seated, passengers must stay in their seat with their seat belt on
  • during the journey passengers must not eat or drink on the bus
  • once at school, passengers should disembark from front to back in a calm and orderly manner

Transport will be provided by your normal bus, coach or taxi operator at normal times unless you have been informed otherwise.

Where practically possible, the same driver, passenger assistant and vehicle is used daily on each route.

Face coverings

  • face coverings are no longer a legal requirement on public transport, but the government expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don't normally meet
  • all children and young adults aged 11 and over are recommended to continue wearing face coverings on dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt
  • children and young people should wash their hands prior to removing and after removing their face covering.

If your child is displaying symptoms

When an individual develops COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive test, children, young people and adults should follow public health advice on when to self-isolate and what to do.


They should not board dedicated transport or public transport if they have symptoms or other reasons requiring them to stay at home due to the risk of them passing on COVID-19 (for example, they are required to quarantine). If a child or young person develops COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, while at school or college, they will be sent home.

They should avoid using public transport and, wherever possible, be collected by a member of their family or household. In exceptional circumstances, if parents or carers cannot arrange to have their child collected, and it is age-appropriate and safe to do so, the child should walk, cycle or scoot home.

If this is not possible, alternative arrangements may need to be organised by the school.

Testing remains important in reducing the risk of transmission of infection within schools. All secondary school pupils should continue to test twice weekly at home. Testing is still widely available, and kits can be collected from a local pharmacy or ordered online.

You should follow the latest government guidance on confirmatory PCR tests following a positive LFD test.

Cleaning

Operators will be cleaning their vehicles in line with Government guidance. This recommends that frequently touched surfaces are cleaned at the start, middle and end of each working day. This will also be repeated after every trip or journey where passengers are exchanged.

Declining the offer of transport

If you choose not to send your child to school on the transport arranged by the council, you will have to make your own arrangements. 

It is important that you continue to follow Government guidelines and your child’s school policy around gathering at entrances, arrival, and departure points.