First yellow school bus services launched

FIRST YELLOW SCHOOL BUS SERVICES LAUNCHED The first children to use a commercial American-style yellow school bus service in the UK boarded their buses for the first time in the Pennines today. Back from half term, the 125 children from seven junior and infant schools were picked up from at or close to their doors by brand new US- manufactured yellow buses. They will have the same driver every day with the same safety and security features that "First" uses in the United States to carry one million children to school each day. This is the first pilot project, sanctioned by both the DTLR and DFES. The second rolls out in Surrey next week with more to follow. If the services are successful, First, the UK's largest bus operator, will roll them out across the UK. First believes the services will have a major impact on congestion and will also bring safety and education benefits. Chief Executive Moir Lockhead said: "In the United States 54% of children under 12 travel to school by bus, just 7% do so here. "There is enormous scope for this sort of service to reduce congestion caused by the school run, boost safety and bring education benefits too. "As soon as we started operating yellow school bus fleets across the US we realised the enormous benefits the service could offer here. "Today is just the start. We hope many more parents and children will be attracted to the service. Already we are anticipating that today's initiative will reduce the number of cars on the school run in this part of the Pennines by some 45- 50,000 a year. NOTES TO EDITORS 1. The vehicles have the same driver every day who is in radio control with the base, knows the children and who will be on the bus each day 2. Children use the same seat daily, are picked up from outside or close to their homes, are expected to behave on board and are dropped at or inside the school gates 3. The bus is a brand new version of the traditional US vehicle, adapted to meet UK and European legislation. This includes fitting the latest environmentally-friendly Euro 3 engine 4. Drivers, in addition to their full driver training, get regular training on safety and security, customer service and briefing on behavioural patterns of children of different age groups 5. Today's launch is for services to schools in and around Heptonstall and Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire 6. First is the UK's largest bus operator with 23% of the market, one of the largest train operators and the second largest operator of yellow school buses across the United States For further information please contact Martin Helm on 07909 997819 or Stuart Render on 07760 172773 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/18/20020218BIT00680/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/18/20020218BIT00680/bit0001.pdf