Sheffield parents urged to fill out school bus survey amid fears some services may not be running in September

The Government says all schools need to reopen after pupils missed months of education during lockdown, followed by the six weeks holiday.

But there are problems for transport chiefs as it is difficult for children to socially distance on already crowded buses and those over 11 will have to wear face masks.

Pupils are being advised to walk or cycle where possible but some children live too far away, particularly those at Catholic secondary schools which have a wide reaching catchment with some pupils living 10 or more miles away.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport is asking parents to complete a survey so it can plan capacity on services. The survey has a deadline of August 7.

SYPTE Director of Transport Operations, Pat Beijer, said: “We are working closely with South Yorkshire’s local authorities, education providers, transport operators and the Department for Transport to understand the demand for home to school travel, the application of social distancing requirements for school children on public transport, as well as how this might be funded should extra services be required.

“For most pupils and students, walking, cycling or scooting are likely to be the best options.

"Some people will be relying on public transport to get to their place of education. We are therefore asking schools directly, as well as parents and carers, to tell us how they plan to travel, to help us plan public transport for the next academic year."

Director of Public Health Greg Fell said the council wanted pupils to return to school safely.

He said: "We are actively encouraging families to consider a range of methods of travelling to school. In considering alternatives such as walking and cycling first or if necessary family only car journeys, this will help in our efforts to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor