Cambridgeshire County Council is facing backlash from parents after a recent change in home-to-school transport left many children without a reliable means to get to school. The local authority is responsible for providing transportation for eligible students, but a re-tendering process for transport providers has left families frustrated and anxious. Many parents reported being unaware of these changes until just before the new school term began, resulting in some children missing the first days of school.
Communication Breakdown
The lack of communication surrounding the new transport arrangements has been a significant point of contention for parents. In particular, some families have noted that there were no plans for a “meet and greet” with the new drivers, which added to their concerns. Karen Jones, a resident of Manea, expressed her dissatisfaction, stating that she has encountered transport issues for her granddaughter, Sophia, over the past year and a half. Jones revealed that her struggles with school transport began even before her granddaughter’s current situation, affecting her own adult children in the past.
“They seem unable to sort things out and get operations running smoothly,” Jones said. “I had a similar situation a year ago when one of my granddaughters didn’t have any transport arranged. I received a phone call just before the summer holidays from 24×7, the company handling my granddaughter’s transport, informing me they had lost the contract due to retendering. I was left in the dark.”
Jones emphasized the importance of community support, noting a parent group called “Cambs Parents SEND,” where families share experiences and seek advice. “I asked if anyone else was experiencing similar issues, and I found out others were in the same boat—some with disabled children, like mine, were also without transport,” she explained.
Longstanding Issues with Transport Services
Jones pointed out that her frustrations are not new, highlighting a persistent lack of organization and communication from the council. “This problem with Sophia has been ongoing for about a year and a half, and I have faced similar challenges with my own children over the years. I receive support at home, but when it comes to education and transport, the effects on the children are profound. That’s why I am firm about this issue,” she added.
“They just don’t seem to take anything seriously. They bury their heads in the sand, thinking problems will disappear, but they always resurface.”
Personal Impact of Transport Changes
Cilla Anderson, another concerned parent, shared her experience with the transport changes. She reported that her son missed the beginning of the school term due to the lack of transport arrangements. “The council informed me that they wouldn’t provide assistance unless I accepted the transport they offered. I only found out who the transport provider was two days before my son was set to return to school,” she recounted.
Anderson had been trying to obtain information throughout the summer and was frustrated by the delays. “My son was just left waiting, and it took him a week to start school. The stress has been overwhelming. I felt like I had no support from anyone.”
She expressed her desire for a meet-and-greet with the transport provider before her son boarded the bus. “That’s crucial for him, and I insisted I wouldn’t use that transport if they couldn’t accommodate a meet-and-greet, but they said they couldn’t help,” Anderson explained.
“I’ve had to navigate this situation all on my own. And from what I’ve heard, they might change the transport arrangements again in a month.”
Official Response from the Council
In light of these complaints, a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council stated, “Providing home-to-school transport for eligible students is one of our statutory duties. As part of delivering this service, we are legally required to conduct a regular re-tendering process to comply with laws and legislation. This sometimes necessitates changes in travel arrangements.”
The council’s spokesperson emphasized their commitment to adhering to legal requirements, but many parents argue that the execution of these policies has failed to meet their needs. They assert that the lack of effective communication and timely information from the council has exacerbated an already challenging situation for families.
Calls for Improvement
Parents across Cambridgeshire are now calling for better communication and support from the county council. They are urging local officials to prioritize transparency in the re-tendering process and ensure that families are kept informed of any changes well in advance. The absence of a supportive framework leaves many families feeling abandoned and anxious about their children’s education.
As the school year progresses, these concerns highlight the need for immediate action from the council to restore trust among parents and ensure that children have reliable transportation to school. Many parents hope that their voices will be heard and that changes will be implemented to address the ongoing issues with school transport.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding school transport in Cambridgeshire has sparked significant frustration among parents who feel left in the dark about essential services for their children. As families grapple with the impact of these changes, the council is urged to reassess its communication strategies and transportation policies. With the new school term underway, the priority must be to provide reliable and efficient transport solutions that ensure every child can access their education without unnecessary hurdles. Parents are determined to advocate for the support their families need, emphasizing the importance of reliable transport in a child’s educational journey.
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