(12 Sep 2020, 3:47 pm)Adtrainsam wrote It's a fine line to tread. Obviously, at the moment, GNE need to try and gain as much revenue so they minimise the loss and need all the custom they get. If you leave children behind, you'll get some angry parents who will complain about not getting to school and some of those are the ones who don't really think much about the virus. They might not bother with the bus in the future. However, if a bus gets over capacity/ children not wearing masks etc. you'll get people choosing another way to travel because they don't feel safe. So it's the need to balance between the two.

It's not.  Or it shouldn't be, at least.  They should do the right thing to enable social distancing and protect the health of everyone on board.  Passengers will vote with their feet if/when they see their lives being put at risk by companies trying to maximise revenue - plenty of examples of that on social media for all of the companies and it will be the tip of the iceberg.  The sad thing is it is the most deprived, who are already at higher risk from COVID, who will have no other choice and can't just switch to the car etc.

They should be being really clear - even if the government aren't.  So, for example is it acceptable on our scholars buses to have standees - if no, then make sure it doesnt happen, and if it does, treat it like any other disciplinary issue as the driver has allowed overcrowding.

As I've suggested before,m there are potentially other ways of increasing capacity beyond drafting in extra buses (early and late runs etc).  It is very clearly a case of profit before social responsibilty.  The marginal cost of a bus doing an extra run will be a damn sight less than the cost of responding to an outbreak, or medical care for a severe case that could have been avoided.