Parents have blasted another Bee Network school bus service — claiming 'sixth formers have directed bus drivers' unfamiliar with the route.

Some claim the service, which has reportedly been late, driven unexpected detours, and had 'panicked' drivers, is a 'safeguarding issue'. Tom Lomas is one of the parents concerned about the 768 and 761 bus routes, which take children to St Ambrose College in Hale Barns from Hazel Grove.

"I think it's a safeguarding issue, you cannot have kids on a magical mystery tour around Stockport," said Tom. "We never legislated for an extra hour of nonsense and they are tired when they get started."

Another parent whose son also attends St Ambrose said the 768 service has been more than 25 minutes late in the morning, prompting the mum to drive him to school as a last resort. She also said the 761, a school bus service which follows a similar route, once was two hours late and didn't turn up at the college until 6pm.

The route the 761 bus took on Thursday (March 6), according to a 42-year-old mum of a St Ambrose College pupil (Image - UGC)

Other issues reportedly include buses going 'round in circles'. She added: "The number of times he has sent me a picture of a sixth former directing a bus driver, it's funny and a laugh but it's not okay. He's texted me a picture going past Stockport Pyramid. I asked why and he did not know.

"At what point does it become a safeguarding issue? They are vulnerable by the nature of their age."

The 42-year-old mum said she 'agreed with the principles of the Bee Network', but has found it 'hard to be on board with it' given the 'problematic' 768 and 761 buses, which she says 'never' made her son late when it was privately run by Belle Vue from September until January 5, when all buses were taken over by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Stephen Rhodes, TfGM's bus director, apologised for the disruption. He said: "We are sorry for delays to the 761 and 768 that have resulted in children being late and understand the concern from parents and teachers when this happens. It is something we are monitoring closely and taking action to ensure a sustained improvement in these services."

A spokesperson for TfGM also told the LDRS the 768 has only been late twice in the mornings since the start of February, with both delays under 10 minutes, thought to be due to roadworks en route. They also said the 761 arrived late by less than 10 minutes at St Ambrose in the evening four times, but only departed school late twice.

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