Green Bus

Eleven Plus (11+) in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Wrekin

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samuel
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:50 am

Green Bus

Post by samuel »

Can anyone help. I dont know whether to put my DS onto the green bus.I live in sutton and DS is going to KE Aston but I have heard from some of the mums that the green bus is very loud and rowdy with some of the older kids being mean and rude.

My friends son was bullied on the bus and there is no one to keep order. He now takes the normal bus to school and sometimes his mum picks he up but he has vowed not to go on the green bus again.

A few other mums have said the say thing and sometimes there is no space and you have to stand.

This is a bit worrying - dont know what to do? Would like to share with other parents experiences.[/b]
um
Posts: 2378
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 1:06 pm
Location: Birmingham

Post by um »

In all honesty I have heard some horror stories about the Green bus too - particularly the overcrowding problem. I heard that the kids were packed on like sardines in single decker buses on some routes and had barely space to stand, which is worrying from a safety point of view - I think the parents should put pressure on the company to do something about this.
I'd also heard of the buses being continually early or late, and driving past waiting children without collecting them, resulting in parents then having to get their kids to school themselves. The idea is certainly admirable but I think the lack of competition is a problem. If other operators joined in I'm sure things would improve all round.
I am lucky that my son got a choice that involves a very regular local bus - although doubtless it won't be perfect! - no doubt he'll have a few hair raising encounters with other kids in the next few years, but hopefully nothing stolen and no injuries! Nothing is perfect, but at least as it comes every 10 minutes he can get to school and back OK. If he'd got his 2nd or 3rd choice it would have meant a green bus and we would have had to put up with it - and I could have put some pressure on the bus company too if they were really not doing well, but whether they would listen, I don't know.
If there is bullying from other students at the same school, then I would have thought the school should be involved in that and should be informed.
To be honest Aston isn't the most fabulous of areas and he may still be better off/safer on the green bus than off it, if you get what I mean.
Footballdad
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:20 pm

Post by Footballdad »

This is an interesting topic. As i plan to send my DS on the green bus. DS will only need to walk 5 mins to the bus stop.

It would be interesting to hear other comments so i can make a uniformed decision.
Milla
Posts: 2556
Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:25 pm

Post by Milla »

not from your area, but in ours, when there are probs on the school bus (being a bus run by an independent co purely for the purposes of 2 partic GS) the company concerned is fantastic. Threatens to get the kids banned from the bus and since parents have stumped up getting on for £800 for an annual pass, this tends to have the desired effect.
You should let the bus co know that their service has this reputation and what safety measures can they offer?
In our case, the co could be cavalier - since we'd be stranded without them and it's a case of beggars can't be choosers - but they're not.
samuel
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:50 am

Post by samuel »

Thanks for your reply um - what you have said tallys up with what I have heard.

My DS is not very saavy about his surroundings although I know he will have to be now that he will have to travel to school by himself and im sure that he will mature but it is worrying at his age especially as he has always been quite protected at his school.

My friend did complian to the powers that be at the bus company but nothing much happened and her son is having problems at his school from the same boys on the bus. The problem started on the bus where they were picking on him and now that he has complained to the school they are do it even more. The matter is in hand at the school but it is not a nice situation to be in. When the school finishes all the older boys run to the bus stop to get on the bus an her son gets pushed out the way.

I know this is all part of growing up and becoming independent but it doesnt sound good.

I may put him on the bus to start with and see how he finds it otherwise will have to find out about the local bus.
Wolfgirl
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:50 pm

Post by Wolfgirl »

This is my first post. I am now worried as I have already signed up for the Green Bus to take DS to KEFW. As we live in Stourbridge we don't really have any other option. I would be interested if anyone elses child uses this route.
Worried but very proud parent.
samuel
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:50 am

Post by samuel »

Hi - Im sorry if i have worried you. I didnt mean to cause any alarm and have merely shared what I have heard as I am trying to make a decision as to what to do myself.

Im sure that not all buses are the way described and your route may be absolutely fine - sure there will be some boisterous over excited characters and there is nothing wrong with that. Listening to other peoples experience is one thing but you cant take other peoples word for it. You have to make up your own mind.

I will put DS on the green bus and see how he goes as pick up is 2 mins from my house. I have to have my own experience or my DSs, and so do you.
serialtester
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:36 pm

Post by serialtester »

I have 1 DD who gets the GB to KEFW and another who gets the GB to KEHGs. They've never been left behind at their stop or anything like that and I've found the service to be very reliable.

There has been some 'silly stuff' at times, but the bus drivers are pretty good at keeping order and persistent 'offenders' are banned from the bus. And then the next day (after an incident) everyone is given a bollocking in assembly about bad bus behavior, with threats of the police, exclusions and other dire punishments!

I think that buses + kids - whether special services or 'normal' buses will always involve high jinks and tom-foolery of some kind.

My DD's find their bus time to be the high point of their day - and the morning journey is perfect for finishing off homework :roll: :lol:
Nervousmum
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:02 am
Location: Birmingham

Post by Nervousmum »

I have a son who gets the green bus to KEFW, and my daughter will be joining him in September. I have never heard any problems about overcrowding, and never heard any problems about children being left at bus stops. Yes, the bus is late sometimes (but that is probably inevitable, traffic problems happen!). However, we always get a text alert telling us about the delay and the expected time of arrival.

I am sure there is some loud behaviour - but that will happen on any bus. My son sees it as one of the positive parts of the day, a chance to chat with friends and generally socialise.

I fear that there are anecdotes that have been exaggerated in the telling!
orianagirl
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:53 pm

Green Bus

Post by orianagirl »

Reading these post has put a bit of doubt in my mind over DD using the Green Bus for KECH in September as none of her friends managed to get in and she is on her own. I was wondering if anyone'd DD will be using the CH2 service (Shirley area) from September maybe they could hook up and go on the bus together for moral support?
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