Bus service change ‘a nightmare’
7:50am Thursday 9th September 2010 in
Changes to a school bus service have left their children spending up to four hours a day on the vehicle, say angry parents.
Pupils at Brimble Hill Special School have had their daily routine disrupted after the service was changed to pick up more pupils in one bus.
Eight-year-old Callum Ellis has used the bus for the four years he has been at the school and before this term was picked up at 8.20am, with the bus picking up one more child before arriving at school for 9.15am.
Now the bus picks Callum up at 7.35am, meaning the youngster, who is autistic, has to be up at 6.30am to be at school for 9.15am.
Callum is the second child to be picked up and the bus then goes on to pick up 10 more children, all with special needs.
Callum, of Grasmere, in Liden, was diagnosed with autism six years ago and routine is an important factor in his life.
His father, Jonathan Ellis who works night shifts, has decided not to send Callum on the bus any more and is taking him to school himself.
He said: “We’re having to rush around in the mornings. It would be a lot easier to send him on the bus, but now it has all changed.
“I know the council needs to make cuts but not when it comes to special needs children. The system has been working for the last five or six years so why change it now?”
Emma Jenkins, of Eldene, said the change has disrupted her son Jamie’s studies. Jamie, eight, who has autism and severe learning difficulties, now spends nearly four hours a day on the bus.
“I’m shocked. I’ve not been sending him on the bus this term,” she said.
“It’s frustrating because it has been in Jamie’s routine. It’s quite distressing for as he doesn’t really understand what is going on.
“He had such a good term last year, but I am worried this is going to affect that as he is going to become more tired and frustrated with the long days. Why should the council damage a routine of special needs children just to cut costs? It’s outrageous.”
Another parent likened the trip her son had to take as being the same as commuting to the capital.
Marina McCubbin, of Wroughton, whose son Matthew also suffers from autism and is profoundly deaf, said: “It’s like the children commuting to London – there are people who work nine to five in Swindon who don’t leave for work as early as Matthew.
“It’s not acceptable. These are the most disadvantage children, I appreciate the transport, it’s a big help, well it was.”
A council spokesman said: “We fully understand the concerns expressed by some parents following the route changes, and we are working to resolve them as soon as possible.
“The routes have to be altered every year because of variations in the locations, numbers and destinations of the children. Despite our best efforts we don’t always get it right for everyone first time, because problems can sometimes only be apparent when the services operate for real.”
Comments(34)
itsamess
says...
8:43am Thu 9 Sep 10
You should be ashamed of yourself.
politicrat
says...
9:21am Thu 9 Sep 10
itsamess wrote:Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful?
Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.
Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man
says...
10:19am Thu 9 Sep 10
clixon2010
says...
11:43am Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:Poli,
itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
what you are failing to see is that a dozen or more disabled children are having to change routine, which is difficult enough for any child as it is.
A child with autism is hard enough to deal with. My son has similarities to autism and has adhd, we have to keep a regular routine for him and if there is change in that routine, it affects the rest of us as well as our son.
it's not fair to make a child get up at 6.30 in the morning for a 2 hour each way bus trip. if the drivers had half a brain cell, they would pick up the nearest children last anyway! maybe if they look at the journeys again they can reduce that time and bring it down!
why not read a book on autism and that way you will understand how the timing affects an autistic child,
Always Grumpy
says...
12:07pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:Poliprat, what an obnoxious person you are. Have you any clue as to the sort of children who attend this school? No, I thought not. Just keep your comments to yourself, you complete moron.
Do they pay themselves for the transport or is it provided "free" thanks to the generosity of the community?
rmc001
says...
12:26pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:Firstly you need to consider how else the children can travel to the school. The roads are already jammed up with parents driving their kids every school day. In addition the only public bus that goes anywhere near Brimble is the new 15A, which prior to going to the school goes to the Station, all around North Star, and down lots of side streets, it takes quite some time from the centre, unlike the previous No 18 which ran around the town. As for the drivers of these buses, my son used to attend this school, and from what I saw the drivers were very careful and had strict safety rules when arriving at the school.
itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
reality_check
says...
12:50pm Thu 9 Sep 10
.
LOCAL PARENT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOOKING AFTER HIS OWN CHILD SHOCK!
itsamess
says...
1:01pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Unfortunately you do not appear to have any emotions or concept as to the nature of Autism. I would suggest the general public know we have to accept cuts and the current govt is doing its best in an almost impossible situation. The consensus of opinion is that the most vulnerable members of society must be treated fairly. Councils are duty bound to protect the vulnerable and unfortunately our Council has systematically contracted services out whilst retaining so called specialist officers which is akin to paying for the same service twice which depletes funds. Most of your posts show a lack of business acumen and very biassed political views.
Hmmmf
says...
1:19pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:Generosity of the community has nothing to do with it we get no say over how the council spends our taxes.
Do they pay themselves for the transport or is it provided "free" thanks to the generosity of the community?
"LOCAL PARENT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOOKING AFTER HIS OWN CHILD SHOCK!" reality-check
Ain't that the truth!
paul442
says...
1:37pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.
itsamess wrote:Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful?
Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.
Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
itsamess
says...
1:49pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Seemingly you too do not understand the serious affects of Autism and the Councils do have a duty of care and the remit to ensure specialised schooling and adequate transport. To expect a child to endure an unnecessarily protracted journey twice daily--even an able bodied child is ludicrous.
politicrat
says...
2:14pm Thu 9 Sep 10
paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all.
politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either!
Concessions have to be made on both sides.
Always Grumpy
says...
2:32pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat?
paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all.
politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either!
Concessions have to be made on both sides.
What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.
Hmmmf
says...
3:52pm Thu 9 Sep 10
itsamess wrote:Don't tell me what I do or don't understand, you have don't have a clue about either. Show us where it is written that SBC has a 'duty of care' to use taxpayers money to take autistic children to school and back and where it is written that parents can ignore their own responsibilities to their kids and let other people foot the bill and take responsbility for them. How much is it costing us for this bus for just 11 kids? They're lucky to get the 'free' service at all.
Hmmmf Seemingly you too do not understand the serious affects of Autism and the Councils do have a duty of care and the remit to ensure specialised schooling and adequate transport. To expect a child to endure an unnecessarily protracted journey twice daily--even an able bodied child is ludicrous.
politicrat
says...
3:56pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Always Grumpy wrote:coming from the one condoning violence against an innocent woman, that is a little rich....
politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat? What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all. I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either! Concessions have to be made on both sides.politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
Always Grumpy
says...
4:13pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:At no point did I condone violence. I merely said I thought the stupid woman brought it on herself. With your limited grasp of our language, you obviously didn't manage to understand that.
Always Grumpy wrote:coming from the one condoning violence against an innocent woman, that is a little rich....
politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat? What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all. I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either! Concessions have to be made on both sides.politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
You are prone to read between the lines with everything anyone else says. You really are such an ignorant and insignificant little creature. I'm reluctant to use the word 'man' because I doubt whether you are one.
.
Anyway, getting back to this particular story you seem to want to move away from it.
So, you admit then that you to condemn these unfortunate children to misery whilst they are going to and from their school. What a piece of lowlife you are.
politicrat
says...
4:52pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Always Grumpy wrote:I wouldn't mind arguing with you if there was a positive argumentation, but all that you seem capable of is to resort to abuse and insults, so very well to say that I am uneducated when you can't debate sensibly about anything on here.
politicrat wrote:At no point did I condone violence. I merely said I thought the stupid woman brought it on herself. With your limited grasp of our language, you obviously didn't manage to understand that. You are prone to read between the lines with everything anyone else says. You really are such an ignorant and insignificant little creature. I'm reluctant to use the word 'man' because I doubt whether you are one. . Anyway, getting back to this particular story you seem to want to move away from it. So, you admit then that you to condemn these unfortunate children to misery whilst they are going to and from their school. What a piece of lowlife you are.Always Grumpy wrote:coming from the one condoning violence against an innocent woman, that is a little rich....politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat? What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all. I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either! Concessions have to be made on both sides.politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
These children are not condemned to misery, the bus service remains, it is its timeframe that changes, BIG DEAL!
Old Town
says...
4:59pm Thu 9 Sep 10
.
If you did you will know that it IS a big deal to change the routine of autistic children - a very big deal indeed.
.
Your "compassion" obviously knows no bounds....
Always Grumpy
says...
5:37pm Thu 9 Sep 10
politicrat wrote:You seem incapable of saying anything that makes any sense and don't even understand when you are being abusive. Like I said, you appear to have difficulty with our language and are very brave handing out insults. Meet me face to face and I suspect you wouldn't be quite so brave.
Always Grumpy wrote:I wouldn't mind arguing with you if there was a positive argumentation, but all that you seem capable of is to resort to abuse and insults, so very well to say that I am uneducated when you can't debate sensibly about anything on here.
politicrat wrote:At no point did I condone violence. I merely said I thought the stupid woman brought it on herself. With your limited grasp of our language, you obviously didn't manage to understand that. You are prone to read between the lines with everything anyone else says. You really are such an ignorant and insignificant little creature. I'm reluctant to use the word 'man' because I doubt whether you are one. . Anyway, getting back to this particular story you seem to want to move away from it. So, you admit then that you to condemn these unfortunate children to misery whilst they are going to and from their school. What a piece of lowlife you are.Always Grumpy wrote:coming from the one condoning violence against an innocent woman, that is a little rich....politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat? What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all. I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either! Concessions have to be made on both sides.politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
These children are not condemned to misery, the bus service remains, it is its timeframe that changes, BIG DEAL!
My view of you won't change and it appears from many other posters that everyone holds you in such low esteem and equal contempt.
You still can't see how obnoxious you were with your ill informed and ignorant comments regarding this story. It's quite obvious when you read it (or more likely got someone to read it to you) you just didn't understand the implications of the bus times changing on these vulnerable children.
Like I said, you are just a piece of gutless lowlife poliprat.
itsamess
says...
7:10pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Do revise your comments as to what you think i said as you will find your angst appears to have got the better of you. Better still--ask the director of childrens services at the Council who receives a handsome salary as to the duties of the Council. Cost wise--i never raised any point about that. The Council does provide the service and still does. Here we are talking of a group of children with a very serious disability and easily destabilised by change to routine and their welfare is the issue not the cost.
jonstfc
says...
9:04pm Thu 9 Sep 10
itsamess
says...
9:46pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Please accept that poli would never have the capacity to understand what a devastating condition Autism is and it takes amazing parenting skills to deal with. Wish you every success with the Council who seem to accept they have got it wrong.
reality_check
says...
10:11pm Thu 9 Sep 10
Always Grumpy wrote:Well I've read your posts AG, and I have an excellent grasp of English, and I would say that you most definitely did condone the violence of the scum police officer against a woman. You are also very quick to turn to threats of aggression in your comments towards other posters (usually against politiprat at the moment).
politicrat wrote:At no point did I condone violence. I merely said I thought the stupid woman brought it on herself. With your limited grasp of our language, you obviously didn't manage to understand that. You are prone to read between the lines with everything anyone else says. You really are such an ignorant and insignificant little creature. I'm reluctant to use the word 'man' because I doubt whether you are one. . Anyway, getting back to this particular story you seem to want to move away from it. So, you admit then that you to condemn these unfortunate children to misery whilst they are going to and from their school. What a piece of lowlife you are.Always Grumpy wrote:coming from the one condoning violence against an innocent woman, that is a little rich....politicrat wrote:You still don't understand do you poliprat? What a complete and utter load of rubbish you write. You really are such an ignorant moron.paul442 wrote:The bus service is not the greatest but it exists, yes it could be better scheduled but parents like children also have to make some concessions, they should be grateful that it was axed after all. I believe that we should assist the most vulnerable but that doesn't have to be room service either! Concessions have to be made on both sides.politicrat wrote:If you genuinely do not see why some sections of society (children with disabilities) should be exempt from pain and inconvenience, then you are a failure as a human being.itsamess wrote: Poli You should be ashamed of yourself.Our current governement is reviewing the funding of all services, do you find this shameful? Service cuts must be fair for all, I do not see why some "sections" of society should be exempt from the pain and inconvenience required in what I see as a National effort to save this country from banruptcy.
.
I'd suggest that you,sir, are the moron, and probably a very small and inadequate wife-beating one at that.
.
(Cue threats and challenges to meet face to face etc.)
Always Grumpy
says...
10:44pm Thu 9 Sep 10
As to my responding to poliprat in the way I do, I just treat him with the contempt he deserves as I will with you. The abusive comments always start with him, but no doubt you choose to ignore that.
Quite obviously you are challenged when it comes to understanding English, despite what you might think. To take the side of someone like poliprat gives a clear indication that you have difficulties yourself.
.
I don't know why you have crawled out of the woodwork to defend poliprat and condemn comments I made in another post regarding another story. I thought this story was about changes to buses to Brimble Hill Special School.
Comments you have made regarding this story, indicate you are just as obnoxious as poliprat and are well suited to each other. Well, you are welcome to him - if he's the sort you go for, I hope you'll both be very happy together!
.
In the meantime I'll continue to criticise anyone who makes cheap and offensive remarks and anyone, lowlife such as yourself and poliprat, who are abusive when they respond to my personal comments. If you don't like what I say then tough, but if you are abusive then expect to be treated the same.
SpeakUp
says...
1:17am Fri 10 Sep 10
Captain Sensible
says...
7:13am Fri 10 Sep 10
Gooey
says...
9:04am Fri 10 Sep 10
lindsylou
says...
9:19am Fri 10 Sep 10
reality_check
says...
12:57pm Fri 10 Sep 10
Always Grumpy
says...
4:34pm Fri 10 Sep 10
reality_check wrote:From you as usual - admitting it at last are you?
@AG - More abuse, indignation, double-standards and selective logic. Sadly predictable.
It's about time you stopped - you show yourself up to be a complete muppet every time.
Loveall
says...
10:49am Sat 11 Sep 10
the answer to this must be to have special needs provision at all schools so that all children in the area are catered for to their needs. Won't cost much will it!
itsamess
says...
11:25am Sat 11 Sep 10
Good sentiments. Sadly due to the variety of special needs it would be counter productive to have special needs teachers in every school as generally if a teacher feels any pupil has special needs a trained assessor will make a report. I strongly suspect there are already shortages in spaces for special needs children anyway.
Olliesmum83
says...
12:09pm Sat 11 Sep 10
Who would like to come and live in our house for 24 hours?!?! My son is 24/7 care, I have to do medical stuff that nurses or docs would not do. I fight every single day for what is his right. One of those is going to school. No he is never going to walk or possibly even talk. But he goes because its his RIGHT. And its also his right to get to school safely. He has been effected by these changes. New driver, new escort new children and new route. But that doesn't bother him, what bothers him is he is on the bus longer, and when he arrives home, he is hot and when you suffer from uncontrollable severe Epilepsy, being hot is not good.
I would love to be able to walk my son to school, I don't want to send him with strangers. But sadly i have too. I don't want my son in a wheelchair, but again sadly he is. And most of all i hate the fact that my son is so poorly, that each morning i dread opening my eyes, walking in to his room and finding him no longer with us. And sadly we know that day day is not a long time away.
So all you ignorant people out there, stop your moaning and your arguments, and shut up. Cause you do not realise just how lucky you really are.
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politicrat says...
8:40am Thu 9 Sep 10