Metro's My bus yellow school bus scheme has entered a new phase with the introduction of services to and from Ilkley Grammar School.

Working with local bus operator Transdev Keighley & District, ten single deck buses have been refurbished to the same high standard as the vehicles bought as part of the original £18.5m My bus project.

"During the three-year project, 150 new vehicles were introduced to West Yorkshire schools," said Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves. "Now, around 10,000 primary and secondary school pupils are taken to and from school on low-floor, accessible buses fitted with CCTV, CD/Radio and seatbelts, making them popular with children and parents alike.

"And, My bus services take car journeys out of the morning and evening peak periods, reducing CO2 emissions and congestion on local roads and at the school gate, making them better for the environment and the wallet."

"We are delighted to be involved in this extension of the My bus scheme," said Assistant Headteacher Richard Jennings. "We have a large number of pupils travelling to and from the school on buses and we are pleased they will benefit from the key features the scheme offers such as seatbelts and CCTV. I am sure the enhancements will encourage even more pupils to use the service."

"We are delighted to be partnering Metro in this important project" said Geoff Lomax, Transdev Keighley & District commercial director. "The new services will bring real improvements for students travelling to school in Ilkley. The new services will be the first My bus routes to be included in Metro's highly successful 'yournextbus' real time information system."

"The challenge for Metro was to take the scheme forward now that the funding has ended," concluded Cllr Greaves, "and our partnership with Transdev Keighley and District is the first example of what can be achieved."

Through a partnership arrangement with Transdev Keighley & District, six regular double-decked buses have been replaced with ten single-decked buses, featuring:

• My bus branded, low floor, wheelchair accessible, 57-seater vehicles (no standing permitted) fitted with seatbelts, CCTV and CD/Radio
• Dedicated drivers, trained to Institute of Advanced Motorists standards, with enhanced CRB clearance.
• Contact with the My bus call centre
• Boarding passes issued to all pupils
• Reduced journey times through limited stop operation

The operator is meeting the additional revenue costs of the scheme and Metro has met the capital cost of converting the vehicles to comply with My bus standards.

Together with services for pupils at Sacred Heart School, around 550 children are utilising these services.

25 November 2008