Given the problems with school buses between Newtonhill and Portlethen Academy, this morning I went round to the pick up point at the Village Store to see for myself.
Two double deckers were there. The A bus was taking on pupils, including some who did not have passes (waiting for a pass to arrive). Another pupil for the G bus told the driver he had left his pass at home.
The B bus arrived in time, but without the B designation – the display board had been updated at the depot overnight but unfortunately the B option had been missed out. Again that bus was carrying pupils who did not have their passes. Drivers have been told not to leave pupils behind.
The allotted time came for the A and the B double deckers to leave – but the G coach had not arrived, so they waited in case there had been a problem. A phone call to Stagecoach established it had been having door problems and was running late. It was at Cammachmore and would be there shortly. The rain came on!
When the G coach arrived the children piled on as the A and B buses left to pick up more pupils on Newtonhill Road.
The G coach had a large laminated sign at the front saying G – but a “B” on the side display!
I phoned the academy who said that Stagecoach had been in touch to say the buses would not arrive by 8.45.
I’ll be contacting council officers – again – to see what can be done to get the system running smoothly.
