Following the chaos which has followed the change in bus services taking pupils to and from Ysgol Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has received numerous complaints about overcrowded buses, pupils being denied access, and others simply being unable to get to school.  In response she is in correspondence with the school and has written to Conwy County Borough Council to ask for their assistance in addressing this serious situation.

Janet said:

“This morning some children have been unable to get to Ysgol Aberconwy despite waiting over an hour in the wind and rain for the bus to turn up. Whilst I appreciate that there might have been damage to the initial bus, it cannot be right that the pupils were stranded for such a long time.

“Whilst I believe that some pupils decided to walk, and parents gave their time to help ferry children to school, this situation is the tip of the iceberg here in Conwy.

“The problem is widespread, but is particularly bad for students living in Llandudno Junction.

“What has happened is that alongside reducing the number of stops to one, parents have been advised that the number of weekly passes have been limited, and that they should look at buying an annual ticket. Whilst I appreciate that this has been done so to guarantee that every student who has either an annual or weekly pass gets a seat, the reality is completely different.

“I have received advice of numerous instances of children possessing passes being denied transport, and having no option but to sit two to a seat or on each other’s knees.

“I am pleased that the head master has agreed to meet with parents, and that Conwy Council is cooperating, as I think it is fair to say that we all want to see the pupils of Aberconwy receive safe and reliable transport to and from school.

ENDS

Document:

Letter to Geraint Edwards, Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities, Conwy County Borough Council