Request ID: FOI-0223-2122 Date published: 26 May 2021
You asked
How many School bus services do you operate?
What is the extra cost of this scheme?
When will it end?
How are they awarded?
Is there a way for a school to request a route that lots of students use to become a school bus service?
Do drivers get to choose if they get a school bus service or a normal one?
How many people use the service?
Why is the 302 not under the scheme, as it is used by pupils coming to/from Burnt Oak station?
A map of every school service that you operate.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0223-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 May 2021.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
How many School bus services do you operate?
There are normally 73 services primarily dedicated to schools traffic. These are numbered in the 600 series, but school pupils use all our services as well. There are also around 200 extra buses running for schools traffic during the current COVID-19 period.
What is the extra cost of this scheme?
If this refers to normal schools routes, the costs of these are included in the costs of the network as a whole as many routes are jointly contracted with other routes so it is not possible to give a figure.
For the extra services proved during the current COVID-19 period, the costs of these is met by the Department for Education (DfE).
When will it end?
There is no current end date for the extra COVID-19 schools routes although we continue to monitor their use and keep them under review. We are no longer reserving every other bus on certain routes for schools traffic following the increase in capacity for all passengers on buses from 17 May.
Is there a way for a school to request a route that lots of students use to become a school bus service?
We monitor use of all our services and if there is a capacity issue we will look to increase capacity as appropriate and if worthwhile. We continue to discuss with schools any schools transport issues.
Do drivers get to choose if they get a school bus service or a normal one?
We do not hold this information. This is a matter for the bus operators.
How many people use the service?
For main 600 series routes the usage was about 3.39 million boardings in financial year 2019/20; however there is some undercounting as not all school children tap in. We also monitor use of routes in other ways to assess where there may be crowding, and this has continued during the COVID-19 period.
Why is the 302 not under the scheme, as it is used by pupils coming to/from Burnt Oak station?
Additional school buses during Covid-19 were introduced mainly on low frequency routes with high volumes of under 18 passengers and excess demand. Route 302 did not meet the criteria. Otherwise, we monitor use of all our routes including by school pupils. In most cases the main bus network gives both the capacity and connectivity for school traffic so a separate 600 route is not required. This is the case for the 302. However if there is a particular school that you have in mind please let us know.
If you are considering submitting a further request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI/EIR requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
