Axed school bus reinstated on 'trial basis'

First Group runs bus services throughout Suffolk

A commercial school bus that was cut at short notice ahead of the new term has been reinstated on a "trial basis".

The 978 service from Felixstowe in Suffolk is used by more than 100 children and stops at St Alban's Catholic High School and Northgate High School in Ipswich.

The service was cancelled at the end of August, just three days before term started, after First Bus East said part of the route was "significantly underutilised".

A spokesperson for the bus company said while it was still being underutilised, it had listened to concerns and would work with the schools "towards a longer-term solution".

"We can confirm service 978 has been reinstated as of Monday, 8th September on a trial basis," a First Bus East spokesperson said.

"We have listened to the concerns raised, and while part of the route is underutilised, our commitment to connectivity for local communities means we will work closely with the schools on the route towards a longer-term sustainable solution."

David Cope from Felixstowe said his children were back using the bus after it was reinstated

David Cope is a Felixstowe parent whose daughters use the service and previously voiced his disappointment over the cut.

"It's really good news for us," he said after the service's reinstatement.

"We haven't had much communication or really heard much from First Bus, but we heard from St Alban's School that it was reinstated on Sunday, the day before it went back on, which was really good.

"St Alban's has been great in bringing our case forward for us and doing all they can to get it reinstated."

St Alban's Catholic High School's headteacher, Simon Corless, said he had also met with First Bus East representatives in person, to discuss the service.

Pupils who use the 978 bus have to get a paid-for term pass, which can be used on other First Group bus routes.

First Bus East said last month it was aware of the concerns, but data analysis of the use of the route led to its decision to initially cut the service.