COVID-19 Service Information

A small proportion of East Riding children and young people rely on home-to-school and college transport, provided by the council, to get to their school or college. Some pupils may also need or chose to use public transport to get to their place of education.

East Riding schools, academies and Post-16 providers are working hard to ensure that all pupils and staff are safe once on-site.

The council is committed to ensuring that children and young people stay as safe as possible on the journey to and from their place of learning to minimise the risk of coronavirus transferring across schools, settings and households.

Providers of home to school and college transport, as well as public transport are working to a system of controls that focuses on a series of hygiene measures aimed at minimising risk and creating a safer environment for all pupils. These measures are mirrored across all schools and colleges in the East Riding.

The following advice and guidance is modelled around the below system of controls:

1) minimise contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not access transport

2) clean hands thoroughly more often than usual

3) ensure good respiratory hygiene by promoting the 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' approach

4) introduce enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently-touched surfaces often, using standard products such as detergents and bleach

5) minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible

6) where necessary, wear appropriate face coverings.

It will not always be possible to adhere to social distancing on transport and the Government advises that to help keep pupils, other passengers and transport staff safe the following precautions should be taken:

• limit the number of people or households that you come into contact with, for example where you can, avoid the busiest routes, as well as busy times like the rush hour

• wash or sanitise hands regularly

• use a face covering on public transport and in substantially enclosed areas of transport hubs

• avoid touching your face

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing

• travel side-by-side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow

• touch as few surfaces as possible

• stay outdoors, rather than indoors, where possible

• where possible minimise the time spent close to other people

• avoid loud talking, shouting or singing

• dispose of waste safely, including items such as used disposable face coverings.

It is now law that children aged 11 and over must wear face coverings whilst travelling on public transport. 

The most up-to-date guidance, Coronavirus (COVID–19): safer travel guidance for passengers, can be found at:

GOV.UK - Safer travel guidance for passengers

If your child uses East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s dedicated school transport and is 11 years or older, there is a requirement for them to wear a face covering. The Government guidance in relation to transport to schools and colleges can be found by following the link below:

GOV.UK - Transport to school and other places of education - Autumn term 2020

Guidance in relation to when to wear a face covering, exemptions and how to make your own, can be found at:

GOV.UK - Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own

As a general rule, children and young people who use either dedicated home to school and college transport or public transport and are 11-years-old or over should wear a face covering while travelling.

A face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.

Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

There are some circumstances where children and young people on transport may not be able to wear a face covering. Please ask your child to be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not always be visible to others.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of three for health and safety reasons)

• people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness, impairment, or disability

• transport workers, i.e. drivers - although employers may consider their use where appropriate and where other mitigations are not in place, in line with COVID-19 guidelines

• where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress

• if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate.

Exemptions 

Those children and young people who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

However some children and young people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law. The link below provides information on the kinds of exemption cards and badges available as well as how to obtain these:

GOV.UK - Exemption from face covering badge for mobile phone (pdf)

GOV.UK - Exemption from face covering badge to print (pdf)

GOV.UK - Exemption from face covering card to print (pdf)

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been continually assessing the risk of using dedicated home-to-school and college transport, and public transport, in order to keep children and young people as safe as possible. The council cannot guarantee social distancing on public transport or on dedicated home to school and college transport, but are working with contractors to provide this where possible.

It is important that everyone plays their part and makes every effort to reduce the risk to themselves and others around them.

Where parents or carers feel that for whatever reason the transport provided by the council is not suitable for their child or young person the council appreciates that parents and carers have the choice to fulfil this duty themselves. Unfortunately, the council is not in a position to consider alternatives.

Parents and carers should be aware of the following principles:

• Pupils should not travel if they are presenting with symptoms, a test should be arranged and the pupil must isolate for ten days from the onset of symptoms

• Pupils should not travel if a member of their household is presenting with symptoms, they must isolate for 14 days and follow Public Health England guidance in relation to getting a test

• Parents and carers should, where possible, bring their children to school themselves. They could consider walking, cycling (where safe to do so) or driving

• Parents and carers should talk to their children about personal space and try to ensure their child understands there should be no physical contact with others in the transport

• Where a child or young person becomes symptomatic during the school day, the child’s parent or carers should make arrangements for the child to be collected from school as soon as possible

• Children and young people 11 years of age and over travelling to school on public transport must wear a face covering, unless they have breathing difficulties or a disability that makes it difficult for them to do - this is no longer a personal preference. Children below 11 years of age, who can manage the safe use of a face covering should also be encouraged to wear one

• Children and young people 11 years of age and over travelling to school on dedicated home to school or college transport should wear a face covering, unless they have breathing difficulties or a disability that makes it difficult for them to do so. Children below 11 years of age, who can manage the safe use of a face covering should also be encouraged to wear one

• There is an expectation that the parents or carers of any child or young person accessing dedicated home to school transport will comply with the NHS Test and Trace procedures

• No child or young person will be left at the roadside, however where a child or young person 11 years and over does not wear a face covering and is not exempt, this will be followed up and support and advice offered

• Council staff and drivers on transport and school staff will not be responsible for the safe use of face coverings

• Parents and carers should make sure their child knows how to put on and take off their face covering safely

• Parents and carers should ensure their children or young people know to listen to the driver, school staff and any passenger assistants in relation to boarding, seating and alighting vehicles

• Children should not ordinarily eat or drink on transport, this is particularly important at this time (to reduce hand-to-face contact)

• Parents and carers should talk to their children about safe queuing at bus stops etc. (where this is applicable)

• Parents and carers should ensure children wash their hands and face before leaving the house to use the transport

• Parents and carers are advised that contractors who provide transport may be using signage on their vehicles to illustrate where children and young people should and should not sit (this is to ensure risks are minimised whilst on transport)

• Children and young people should adhere to any instructions provided by their school or displayed on vehicles

• Where possible hand sanitiser will be provided on vehicles

• Schools will encourage children and young people to wash their hands, remove their face covering and place it into a closed bin (disposable coverings) or in their bag (reusable face coverings) on arrival at school, they will also remind children to wash their hands and put their masks on before accessing transport at the end of the school day

• Parents and carers should ensure their children are adequately dressed for the journey as vehicles may be more ventilated than usual (windows and roof ventilation open to ensure air circulation)

• Parents and carers must ensure their children or young people understand that they must avoid loud talking, shouting or singing on transport (being quiet reduces the risk of droplets being carried to anyone else on the vehicle)

• Parents, carers, children and young people are encouraged to use the Buswise system to report any issues on transport

• There will be consequences for children and young people whose behaviour causes concern on transport and or deliberately break the rules associated with safe travel

• Schools will be understanding if pupils arrive late to school due to parents or carers bringing them to school. This could be due to dropping off other children at other educational establishments. Where this is the case the pupil will be marked as ‘late’ in the attendance register and not ‘late after the register has closed’. This will not prejudice the pupil or school in relation to attendance recording.

If you have any questions in relation to home to school or college transport you should contact Transportation Services:

Email:  transport.requests@eastriding.gov.uk

Tel: (01482) 395444.

Anybody travelling on East Yorkshire Buses can find its travel advice and guidance at  East Yorkshire Buses - Getting back to travel safely.

Does the council provide transport to local schools and colleges?

It is the responsibility of parents to get their children to and from school or college safely, however, we provide bus and taxi services for children who are eligible to receive free transport. 

Any spaces left on these services can be used by children who either pay a daily fare or buy a travel pass but spare places are allocated on a priority basis. Find out how to  apply to buy a travel pass and get on the waiting list.

Free school transport is available to only some schools in and around the East Riding. Find out if yours is one of them - take a look at  council-operated bus routes.

Please note: taxi services are only available to students eligible to receive free transport who attend schools where full bus services aren’t required or have special travel needs, for instance, disability or behavioural needs.

Seat belts must be provided where there is a legal requirement to do so, but where there is not, the council does not ask for or require seat belts to be provided. Where seat belts are provided, they must be worn at all times. 

If your child is  eligible to receive free transport but there isn’t currently a service running to your school, we will still provide transport. 

If this is the case, apply online via the  free school travel pass online form and once your application has been processed, we will contact you with more information. 

What are the new Personal transport budgets (PTBs) being piloted by the council?

Personal transport budgets (PTB) are an alternative way for the Council to deliver statutory home to school or college transport for pupils who are eligible for support to their educational establishment. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been running its current PTB model for the last four years.

After reflecting on the uptake of the current model, learning lessons from formal and informal feedback, focused meetings and national research a new PTB model has been developed and will be piloted from January 2021.

This new model will be piloted with a small group of families, whose children are currently in receipt of one to one transport support (eligible children and young people). These families will be invited by letter to join us in further developing the new model and its processes.

The pilot will be reviewed regularly with the families involved in the pilot and other stakeholders.

We are hopeful that after some fine tuning with the initial pilot group and further consultation, the new model can be rolled out further to more families. We will provide information on our progress over the next few months.

Families not invited to be part of the initial pilot will continue to be able to access the current three tiered PTB model.

Can my child travel on council buses without a travel pass?

Yes, they can, but as children who have a travel pass will be given seating priority, it may be standing room only. It is also much more expensive to travel without a pass.

For example, it works out as £2.84 return per day if you buy a travel pass, whereas it costs £4.00 to travel on our buses without a pass.

However, this option may be useful if your usual method of transport is unavailable for a specific day.

Please note: bus services that are shown as '(Pass holders only)' will not accept on-bus payment of fares, and you will not be able to purchase a travel pass for this service.

Take a look at  council operated bus routes and see if there is a service.

What are the service routes and times to and from school/college?

To find out more information about the service routes and times take a look at council-operated bus routes. You can search for a school-operated bus route using the name of your school or college. You can also see description of the bus route.

Can my child get to school/college using public transport?

East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS)

East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) is a bus and coach company operating throughout the East Riding of Yorkshire.

To find out if East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) have a service that will get your child to and from school, either:

• Use the Google Maps website– type in your street name, followed by the school and it will give you a map route indicating the bus routes and services available. The route will also show where you might need need to walk parts of the journey.

• Call EYMS – Call the EYMS Busline on (01482) 592929 during their office hours - 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. They will be able to advise the best route to and from your desired school.

EYMS - Fares website

EYMS - College and university students website

Do the council buses run during bad weather?

Our buses and taxis will always attempt to operate unless we have been told that a school/college is closed for the day.

If, in attempting a run, the driver feels that to operate a portion of the route would be dangerous, then the driver will be unable to operate that portion of route.

Safety of everyone on board a vehicle is a main priority, and although in some cases a car may be able to access a road, a bus may not.

Where a driver is unable to operate a portion of route, this will also apply for the return journey in the afternoon, unless things significantly improve and we are able to inform the school.

Read the most recent information about  school closures.

Can you help me find something my child has left on the bus?

Yes, the bus operator will be able to help you. 

Take a look at  council-operated bus routes, find the bus service number that the item was left on and contact the operator on the number provided.

How can I help my child who is being bullied on the bus?

Reporting incidents

We encourage you to report any issues you or your child experience with school transport. Read more about  Buswise- what it is, behavioural rules, reporting incidents and what happens after you report an incident. 

Changing buses

If your child is getting bullied then they might be able to change bus routes if you and the school agree this would be the best option. 

Read more about changing your bus route.

Where can I get copies of the home to school transport policy?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s policy on home to school transport can be seen by clicking on the following link:

Home to school transport policy (pdf 135kb)

What is the council's policy statement on transport for post-16 students?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s 2020-2021 policy statement on transport for post-16 students and the Department for Education Guidance documents can both be viewed below:

Policy Statment for 2020-21 Post 16 Transport (pdf 147kb)

Department for Education Guidance on Post 16 Transport (pdf 429kb)

If you would like to make any more information, please contact the pupil services manager by emailing:

Email: schoolorganisation@eastriding.gov.uk