Hi,

My DS has got a place confirmed at CRGS and will start from Sept-2019. Please could you help me with the contact details of the school coach service(s) from Chelmsford to CRGS or the public bus options and any feedback based on your experience using these service(s).

Thanks,

Which area in Chelmsford?

There are different buses that cover different routes. Stephensons is better than First bus in terms of service/breakdown etc but is also a bit costlier comparatively. Please click on the link below. You will see different green boxes. Click on the appropriate one to get further details on the route, timings, cost etc. Public transport: First bus routes - 70 and 71 (not sure a, b or c!) are good and it takes just over 40 minutes to get here by public transport. Train station isnt near the school.. about 15-20 minutes walk. First bus stop is right outside the school and so are the contract buses.

https://www.csse.org.uk/?view=transport

CRGS will send you the CSSE transport forms with your pack but it will take time. If you have accepted the place, you can go ahead and book the bus.

If you get the first phone app and plumb in your road as the from and Norman way schools as the destination then arrive by 845 it will throw up the route, buses and journey length for you.

We are currently staying in Chelmsford so my daughter gets the firsr bus from sainsburys on white Hart Lane at 730 it's a LOT cheaper than the Stephensons bus but apparently the cool kids get the Stephensons...

If you're going to go from sainsburys it's chaos at pick up time... The first bus arrives later at about 445 so its generally clearer in the car park

Just be aware your DS will get off further along Lexden Road than those for the Norman Way schools and the traffic is dire in the morning. If he opts for public transport he needs to get a bus that actually arrives on time - do some investigation rather than rely on the timetable! And there is a big difference between school holidays and term time do a practice run in the holidays is limited value!

Also consider how often he will be staying for after school activities and if he's likely to get the bus in to Colchester at weekends for Saturday sports fixtures and/or social activities.

The time table on the app also shows all the school bus options too. My daughter has been getting the First run school bus. The First app really is good for working out travel times!

The good thing with the bus passes is they can also be used on the 71 so if he does stay after school and you can't collect him he won't be stuck.

Is number 71 taken from across the road? Does it go straight to Chelmsford bus/train station? Just thinking of alternative routes for us, should the trains break down.

Yes the 71 still does door to door pretty much and runs relatively regularly

Have you factored in the journey from Colchester station to CRGS? There are buses but the traffic is awful - its probably as quick to walk!

For crgs you would be looking at getting the train to town station not north and walking up. Its just that bit too far for the girls to be a feasible option I'd say but the boys could do it

Thanks. Yes we have. We can alight at either Town or North stations in the morning, with 45 min to spare before school starts. Our current primary school is on a road which rivals Lexden Road in terms of school run traffic madness so we’re used to allowing lots of time for things. Going back, do most commuting children walk to North Station or wait for the 65? I understand there are 2 specially scheduled buses at 1530... and 1545 which park at the CCHSG bus park? Do many children go on these buses, or is it just as well walking to the station with a bunch of mates?