Local students are being reminded to carry their bus passes at all times after October half term.
Powys County Council said that the new passes were introduced to improve the student safety as well as to ensure that the home to school transport service runs at its most efficient.
Students have their pass scanned when they get on and off, both to and from school. The system has had several weeks to bed in with some leeway allowed, but following the October half-term, students will be expected to carry their pass (or at least their manual code) every day.
The system creates an accurate passenger list which can be accessed, if needed, in case of an emergency. Being able to identify which students are traveling on which vehicles at any one time also conforms with Track, Trace and Protect.
As an aside to student and driver safety, transport bosses say the added benefit of the new bus pass allows them to monitor how the vehicles are being used and identify where improvements can be made.
“Powys has the most extensive home to school transport service in all of Wales,” explained Cllr Aled Davies, Cabinet Member for Transport.
“Since the introduction of the new school bus pass, the school transport unit have issued over 6,000 passes to Powys learners. We understand that adapting to change can be tough, but we thank the schools, transport providers, parents and students for their support in implementing and embracing these new passes in such a short timescale.
“As always, the safety of our students is paramount, and we are pleased with how well this new system is working and the benefits that will entail with its continued use.”
If a learner has not yet received their pass email transport.applications@powys.gov.uk with the learner’s name and date of birth so that it can be investigated.
Any student without an entitlement to transport will not be able to travel after half term, with parents needing to make alternative arrangements.
For further information regarding the new School Bus Pass please visit https://en.powys.gov.uk/schoolbuspass.