Travelling on the bus
Policies and procedures in place for school bus travel.
Vehicles and drivers
All school transport contracts are managed by operators approved by West Lothian Council. All vehicles and drivers must be appropriately licensed. In addition, all drivers and escorts are vetted by Disclosure Scotland's Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. All of West Lothian Council School Contracts are inspected at least once a year by Public Transport Unit. Further checks are also carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
Seatbelts on school buses
West Lothian Council specifies seat belted vehicles for all primary schools. Seatbelts should be worn at all times by all pupils where they are provided.
Taxis and private hire cars
In some instances pupils are transported to school in taxis and private hire cars. The differences between the two are as follows:
- A taxi is able to operate contract hire work and apply for fares. Taxi licence plates must be displayed both to the front and rear of the vehicle.
- A private hire car is able to operate on contract hire but is prohibited from plying for fares.
Most taxis and private hire cars are between four and seven seats and they also display a plate front and rear. The rules relating to behaviour and responsibility apply fully to this form of travel. In addition all vehicles are equipped with seat belts and it is obligatory for children to wear them.
