How school transport for students in Harrogate has changed ahead of the new term
As students across Harrogate and the rest of North Yorkshire prepare to head back to the classrooms, what can they expect on their journey to school?
As schools, parents and pupils in Harrogate prepare for the start of the new school year, the transport system which was in place prior to lockdown is being reinstated - but with some changes.
In most cases, services will run from the same places and to the same timetable as normal.
But extra buses will be provided on some public service routes, to minimise pupils’ contact with the public before going into school.
Ian Fielding, Assistant Director for Transport, Waste and Countryside Services at North Yorkshire County Council, said: "The schools and the County Council are doing everything they can to make transport and the school experience free from anxieties and as safe as possible.
"We are carrying out enhanced cleaning before each journey and we're encouraging pupils to sit in their allocated bubbles if they have one."
Unlike for public transport, Government guidance for dedicated home to school transport is that social distancing is not required, as school buses and taxis will be carrying the same group of children on a regular basis and no members of the public travel with them.
Mr Fielding, added: "Although face coverings are mandatory, we're still encouraging pupils to wear them on school organised transport if they feel comfortable doing so.
"Children will board the bus and sit in the seat furthest to the back, to avoid children having to walk past each other. It's a sensible arrangement really."
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before each journey. Parents and pupils are being asked to play their part in safety measures
Meanwhile, bus operator The Harrogate Bus Company has confirmed many of its buses will return to normal timetables this weekend, with more buses added to ensure everyone can continue to travel safely.
The company also says increasing number of customers are also returning to its services for work and leisure trips now that travel restrictions have eased, with added reassurance from its unique “Clean, Safe and Ready to Go” customer promise to provide the highest standards of cleanliness and safety on all of its buses.