Autumn term newsletter

Frome Independent School Travel (FIST)
Newsletter 26th August 2010


I hope everyone enjoyed a good Summer, and you are all ready to get back to school.

Website

This newsletter will be posted to our blog site http://fromebus.blogspot.com/
Please save the address: there is excuse for not paying for the bus because you haven’t received the newsletter.

Parking at bus stops

It would be great if we could start the new school year without people parking inside bus stops, particularly at Beckington. This is selfish and irresponsible; it makes it harder for children to cross the road safely and difficult for anybody else using these stops for other bus services. Please park outside the bus stop.

New committee member needed

We are looking for somebody to join the Committee, mainly to help chase up late payers. It is also a chance to be involved with the running of the bus and to get your views heard. Please let me know if you would like to help.

Passenger numbers

At the time of writing we have a total of 76 passengers in all, (48 Frome/28 MSN) including 6 paying a reduced fare to use the MSN bus for journeys within the city of Bath. So we still have spare capacity on the Frome bus and one place currently on the MSN bus. If anyone knows someone who could be interested in a place, please ask them to get in touch.

Fares

The fare for Autumn term will be £335 per child. For the small number of children using the MSN bus to travel within Bath, boarding at Bradley Road, North Road or at KES, the fare will be a single payment of £170.

There are a number of people still not paying on time. Please make sure you pay promptly at the start of term as it is a waste of our time having to chase late payers.

Payment methods

Due to changes in terms and conditions imposed by our bank, it looks as if we might be unable to continue with the free banking which we have enjoyed up to now, resulting in increased costs. Electronic transfers, however, incur no charges so it would be very helpful if you could pay by online banking if at all possible.

Online payment:
Payments should be made by Monday 6 September. If you have more than one child using the bus you can pay in two instalments: £170 per child by 6 September; £165 per child by 1 November.

if you require payment details, please email fromebus@btinternet.com


Giving notice. Parents are reminded that as FIST has to budget ahead and set fees for the term according to the numbers travelling. We run on a very tight budget and therefore require a half term's notice or payment in lieu should parents decide to remove their children from the run.

Term/bus operating dates.

RHS. Fri 3 Sept* – Fri 15 Oct; Mon 1 Nov – Wed 15 Dec.
KES. Weds 8 Sept – Weds 20 Oct; Mon 1 Nov – Thurs 16 Dec.

* Please note there will be no bus on Thursday 2 Sept for the small number of RHS students at school that day as it is not viable to run two buses for the number of passengers. Both buses will operate on days when at least one school is fully open.


Contacting JVA.

Committee members don’t always have up to date operational information on whether the bus is running late, traffic news and so on; nor can we help with lost property. If you have any queries relating to these matters please contact JVA directly in the first instance on 01761 433366 or 07966 282467. Committee members will do their best to take up unresolved issues and complaints.

Time Table.

There is one slight change to the timetable: we have introduced a new stop at Claverton bus-stop and removed the Rose & Crown at Limpley Stoke which has not been used for some time.
• Make sure you arrive at the bus stop in good time, as the buses will not wait;
• Park sensibly and be sensitive to the needs of local residents.







Code of Conduct / Behaviour.

Please remind children:
• Behave sensibly at bus stops - do not rush forward, push or shove when bus arrives.
• Never cross immediately in front or behind a bus
• Older pupils are asked to encourage younger pupils to stay well clear of the bus when waiting and on getting off
• Follow any instruction your bus driver gives you at any stage of the journey
• Remain seated with seat belt fastened at all times when the bus is in motion
• Smoking and eating are not allowed on the bus
• Please take your litter home with you
• Do not misbehave – bad behaviour could distract the driver and cause an accident
• Bad behaviour could lead to exclusion from the bus without refund

Please remind your children that disruptive behaviour distracts the driver and is dangerous.

Contact details: fromebus@btinternet.com

Alex Garrett Peel
For the FIST Committee