Vandalism Clampdown Needed On School Transport

12.00.00am GMT Fri 15th Nov 2002

Stockport MP Andrew Stunell is backing plans to tackle crime and vandalism on school transport in the area.

The Audit Commission has told Greater Manchester Transport Authority who organise and pay for all school buses, to take action to reduce anti social behaviour by pupils. Now Mr Stunell is challenging the P.T.A to set out its plans to make school bus journeys safer across Stockport.

"On some journeys the behaviour by a minority is unacceptable. One result is that some parents feel obliged to take their children off the bus and go to and from school by car. So it isn't just about bad behaviour and damage, it is hitting the environment and building up road congestion too"

The Audit Commission says improving school services should be a national priority. According to Mr Stunell there are some easy steps that could be taken:

"American style yellow buses have been highly successful when tried in this country. Supervised single deckers help create a safer friendly travel environment for all children. The bus operators are ready, it just needs some imaginative action by the P.T.A."