HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT DIRECTLY CONTRACTED

 

These “SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS” apply to all school transport which operates as a result of a direct contract with users’ parents/guardians and local authority purchased seats.

 

1.      Mortons Travel will prepare, and issue travel passes on receipt of the passengers’ full details or a fully completed application where applicable and following receipt of the first payment instalment. It is a condition of travel that a pass is always carried and that the pass is complete and legible. A replacement pass is £10.

 

2.      Issue of the travel pass is deemed acceptance of these terms.

 

3.      The Mortons Travel Code of Conduct will be issued to each parent/guardian making the original application and taking responsibility for payment. It is their responsibility to ensure the passenger(s) is/are made aware of the Code and that they adhere to all its requirements.

 

4.      The annual cost of travel is payable over 10 months, with the first payment transferred to the nominated Mortons Travel Limited bank account by 1^st September at the latest. The following nine payments must be deposited in the nominated account by the 1^st of each month from October to June.

5.      Late payment will incur an administration charge of £30 per travel pass, per occasion. In order to avoid this charge Mortons Travel recommends the use of a Standing Order which specifically instructs the paying bank to ensure payment is made in time for the deposit to be made on time.

 

6.      If payments are missed completely the travel pass(es) will be withdrawn at the discretion of Mortons Travel and no further travel will be permitted. In these circumstances the vacated seat(s) will be offered to the first parent/guardian on the waiting list so withdrawal of the facility will become non-reversible.

 

7.      The annual cost per seat is calculated on the anticipated passenger take-up each academic year so it is expected that the original application and use of a travel pass is made with every intention of continued use (and payment) throughout the academic year and not just a stop gap pending previously known house moving or any other plans which cause the travel reservation to knowingly be temporary. For this reason, no refund of payments received will be made and payments will be required to continue until the travel pass is received by Mortons Travel Limited.

 

Of course, it is fully accepted by all that plans can be changed for reasons beyond the parents’/guardians’ control which might lead to cancellation of the seat reservation. In these circumstances no further payments will be required.

 

8.      In the event of serious inclement weather which makes travel by large, heavy vehicles dangerous, or the school makes the decision to affect an emergency closure Mortons Travel reserves the right to temporarily suspend the service and will email updates to parents.

 

 

Mortons Travel Limited

Code of Conduct For Home to School

Transport

By accepting a travelling reservation you as parents/guardians are agreeing

that your child will comply with this Code of Conduct.

Pick-up/drop-off points and times

You are entirely responsible for the safety of your child between home and the

pick-up point specified by Mortons Travel Ltd.

Pick-up points and times are determined using the most efficient running order for

the journey. Please be aware that throughout the year we may need to review and

make alterations to transport which could result in a change of vehicle, timings, pickup

point etc. Whilst we will always give as much notice as possible through our main

point for communication - the website, providing Mortons Travel with an accurate

email address and contact telephone number is important to ensure we can

additionally communicate using this method, if required.

Timings

We will advise you of an initial estimated pick-up time when arrangements are

finalised. Pick-up times are for guidance only and your child needs to be ready at the

pick-up point at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time as the transport cannot

wait. In the event of delay in the vehicle’s arrival at the pick-up point, passengers

should wait up to 20 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time before contacting the

Mortons Travel Duty Manager, making alternative arrangements or returning home.

If the company is aware of delays in excess of 20 minutes, we will aim to advise an

estimated time of arrival on our website. If your child misses their pick-up, no

alternative transport will be provided. If your school transport is repeatedly early or

late please contact Mortons Travel so that the problem can be investigated. Changes

to pick-up point or times can only be arranged by Mortons Travel. If you have a

query about your pick-up point or time please contact us.

Travel Passes

A travel pass will be issued and it must be carried at all times. Failure to produce a

pass may result in travel being refused.

The pass issued is only valid on the transport to which your child is allocated. The

pass is not transferable and may be confiscated if your child misuses it, e.g. allowing

another child to use it, scanning or colour copying a duplicate. Parents/Guardians

must make alternative travel arrangements with their child if they wish to take a

friend home. In the event of a pass being lost, damaged or defaced a replacement

must be applied for by contacting Mortons Travel during normal office hours on the

telephone number overleaf. The charge for a replacement pass is £10.

At all times travel passes remain the property of Mortons Travel and must be

returned on request.

Behaviour

Parents/Guardians are reminded that they are responsible for the behaviour of their

children whilst travelling and we recommend that you ensure your child is aware that

appropriate behaviour must be exhibited at all times This includes whilst standing at

the roadside waiting for transport arrival. In the interests of safety children must

behave sensibly, wear seatbelts where provided, and must always remain seated

unless otherwise instructed by the driver. Unacceptable behaviour, e.g. any

disruptive, violent, distracting or dangerous incidents including bullying, bad

language, vandalism, spitting, kicking or throwing objects, may lead to transport for

your child being withdrawn immediately and indefinitely.

Please also be aware if your child is misbehaving before boarding the vehicle

the driver may refuse to carry them. Serious cases of unacceptable behaviour

may also result in police involvement and/or civil claims for damages. Vehicles

may be fitted with closed-circuit television equipment. Parents/Guardians are

advised that CCTV images may be used to identify possible offenders.

In the event of any student failing to correct bad behaviour Mortons Travel will

operate its standard policy to deal with the matter. This includes a first warning to the

student, second warning to the student and the parents/guardians, third warning to

repeat level two but also include advice to the school prior to suspension or removal

of the transport facility.

Moving Home

Should your child change home address or their circumstances change please

contact Mortons Travel immediately as our drivers are instructed not to transport

children to or from any alternative address.

You are reminded that you should also advise us of any changes in contact details

as they arise.

Exams/After School Activities

No provision is made for exam timetables, work experience or after school activities.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for any transport outside of normal school times

except where there is express provision of a ‘late bus’.

Pupils are responsible for:

· Ensuring that they only travel on the bus they have been allocated to, and

hold a pass for.

· Being at their stop 5 minutes before the bus is due to arrive.

· Queuing and boarding the bus in a safe and sensible manner.

· Carrying their pass at all times which must be shown on request from the

driver, school or Mortons Travel staff.

· Bus passes must be intact, legible and not defaced, broken or damaged

in any way. Pupils may be refused travel if they cannot produce a valid pass

for the transport they are attempting to board. If the pass is damaged, broken

or defaced in any way the driver may confiscate or refuse to accept it.

· Giving their name if it is asked for by the driver, school or Mortons Travel Ltd

staff.

· Finding a seat quickly, being seated before the vehicle moves off and

remaining seated until they reach their stop.

· Ensuring that, where provided, seat belts are worn. This is now a legal

requirement on all coaches.

· Ensuring that their school bag(s) is not put on the seats. These are to be

stored under their seat, in the luggage rack, or on their lap.

· Not damaging the vehicle in any way. If damage is wilful, pupils or parents

may be asked to pay for repairs.

· Sitting quietly on the vehicle. Distracting the driver may cause an accident.

· Not eating, drinking, or smoking on the vehicle.

· Taking care if they have to cross the road. Never cross in front of, or close

behind the vehicle.

· Following their parents’/guardians’ instructions about where to go and what to

do if the transport does not arrive, or if travel is refused.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for ensuring:

· Their child is fully aware of, and understands, their responsibilities above.

· Their child fully understands what is expected of them whilst on the vehicle,

particularly not displaying unacceptable behaviour as described.

· Their child knows they must wear a seat belt (where fitted) throughout the

journey to and from school, and how to put on, fasten and undo a seat belt.

· The safety of their child between their home and the transport pickup/drop-off

point, for both morning and afternoon journeys.

· Their child is familiar with the route, and knows which pick-up point they leave

from, and return to, and what to do if the transport is late, fails to arrive, or

travel is refused.

· Their child carries a valid pass at all times. Transport may be refused in the

morning or afternoon if a child cannot show their pass, and parents/guardians

should ensure that their child knows what to do in this event.

Driver’s responsibilities:

· Ensuring they know and follow the correct route.

· Taking all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children when boarding or

alighting from the vehicle and whilst in transit.

· Checking passes on a daily basis and transporting only those pupils who can

produce a valid, undamaged pass for the vehicle they are attempting to board.

· Drivers are not responsible for ensuring that a child gets off at the correct

stop, or for disciplining children.

· Drivers are entitled to take action to ensure the safety and well-being of all

persons transported, which includes recommending to Mortons Travel that

transport should be refused for any children in serious breach of this Code.

All correspondence regarding your child’s school transport should be sent to:

 

Mortons Travel Limited

Unit 11 Berry Court Business Park

Bramley Road

Little London

Tadley

Hampshire

RG26 5AT

Tel: 01256 889082

 

e-mail:

info@mortonstravel.co.uk

 

Website:

www.mortonstravel.co.uk

 

Please keep this leaflet for reference.