PARENTS of children travelling to Belssed Edwards School in Worcester from Droitwich, have voiced concerns over the safety of the S1 bus service run by First Bus Company after the packed double decker full of schoolchildren broke down in Worcester on two consecutive days last week, and was replaced with a single decker bus on both occasions.

Kathryn Warburton who has children on the bus, said: “I know it’s a bus not a coach and there aren’t seatbelts, but the children were complaining that they were only just able to close the doors on the single decker. I don’t understand how they couldn’t contact someone to bring a double decker instead of cramming them into a single decker. Is there going to have to be an accident before they do something?

“I actually went and drove and picked them up so they wouldn’t be on the single decker, and I know there were other parents that did exactly the same.”

A spokesman for First bus Company said: "Unfortunately we did have an issue with the bus operating our S1 service on January 14 and 15. On both occasions a replacement single deck vehicle was sent out to passengers as soon as possible.

“Our loading information shows that there were 60 passengers using the S1 service, and the buses that were used in replacement are licensed for up to 70 passengers.

“Whilst we would not expect to regularly carry this number of people on a single deck vehicle, we did react as quickly as possible to reduce the waiting time for a replacement, and the passenger loading was within the limits for that vehicle."

The service had been operated for the school through Worcestershire County Council until last year, but it was taken over in September by the private operator First Bus Company.

Mrs Warburton added: “The bus is quite often late in the morning. There’s no consistency at the moment. I’ve got two younger children, so I need to be in Droitwich to get them to school, but I’m seriously considering doing a car share with other parents so I know they’re safe.

“I have raised the issue with the school. I spoke the them last week and they’ve been very very helpful, the deputy head was trying to get hold of the bus company.

“Before I could ring the council, but trying to get through to First is a nightmare. There’s no-one who’s a point of contact when the safety of our children is concerned.”