bebebub:Kissgurami:[quote=\"whalezup\"]Dear parents, DD1 went on a \"joyride\" with the bus driver yesterday. We waited below the block for 1h30mins, not knowing that the driver actually stopped at the bus stop along the main road a few blocks away. He drove away with DD1 when she didn't get off. (not that DD1 knew that was the stop). We finally got the poor child after calling the driver and gave him directions. I begged with the driver, owner and bus operator and none won't accede to our request. The driver's reasons was that bus stop was the only pick up point for parents around the area. Surely a school bus is supposed to drop off at the child's home? Really disappointed with the bus company. The other bus drivers from other schools (HIPS, Montfort, OLN) all turn in to the block which is a designated drop off point and it is a much safer drop off point than the main road. I'm now looking for alternatives. Can I ask for some advice please? (She reached home at 150pm today)
Have you spoke to the following contacts? These are posted on PL website
Mr Neo – 6483 5553
Ms Joanne Yeo – 90606636
If u hv tried talking to the school bus operator, but to no avail, try talking to Mr James Ong, PL's Operations Manager. He is the liaison for the school bus operators. Hopefully, he can help.
Sometimes, school buses takes a certain route depending on where the other kids taking the same bus live. I believe most will do their best to alight the kid at a safe spot. Letting kids alight at bus stops is a very common practice. I reckon it's quite safe as there is a proper bus bay. My kindy dd also alight at a (very busy) bus stop. I :stompfeet: as I hv to walk a distance to pick her up. Good thing they explained and I try to understand their constraints.
My dd1 at PL used to take school bus, reaching home at 2.20pm. On CCA days, she also take 'joyrides', going all the way to Bishan b4 heading home. Total journey is more than an hour. Bo bian lor
[/quote]Sorry to bring out this old topic. I just want to respond to kiss and bebebub and close this chapter.
I am quite unhappy about the school bus as I feel that the driver did it out of his own interest, ie, saving time so that he doesn't have to make more turns by dropping kids off on main road and further from home. That really defeats the purpose of hiring a sch bus in the first place. The reason he gave me was if he has to do it for my child, he will have to do it for everyone. My response to him is the kids safety should be their first priority and not saving petrol or time. (He has to pass by our block first anyway) Then he went back to the same old reason like a broken record. Same thing when I spoke to Mr Neo (not realising he is probably from the same bus company). He told me there is only 1 bus serving our area when there are more than 20 buses on the list.
The school bus transport is run like a cartel which means we as parents will not have any say if they decide to change the route and the child now takes 90 mins to get home vs 10 mins previously or if they decide to raise their fares. Simply because no other buses will dare to drive your kids home.
Having said that, I am aware that my situation is not unique. My niece takes 90 mins to get home from school and is the last kid to be dropped off, simply because the driver lives near her place. Poor kid is famished by the time she gets home.
So as what bebebub says, bo bian lor. Until the day I become a SAHM or when DD1 is old enough to take public tpt on her own, I will just have to bear with it.
This is really an eye opening experience for me
