The council has secured alternative provision for 337 of the 351 pupils affected by the collapse of local bus firm Jansen Travel.
Rowrah-based Jansen Travel informed Cumbria County Council in an email last night that it could no longer provide school transport, leaving the authority scrambling to find alternative provisions ahead of the start of the school term tomorrow.
Seventeen routes involving 351 students were set to be left without transport, with 31 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) among those impacted.
Schools impacted:
- Mayfield School
- Lakes College
- Cockermouth School
- West Lakes Academy
- Eaglesfield Paddle
- Dean School
- St Benedict’s School
In a letter seen by Cumbria Crack and sent by Jansen Travel’s managing director Carl Jansen to customers yesterday, the business said it had “decided to call it a day, with immediate effect” – just days before the start of the school term.
The email said the firm had planned to continue operating until the end of January but “after considering everything over the last week, we feel that is only delaying the inevitable”.
It went on to thank customers for their support and wished them the best for the future.
However, Cumbria County Council has now confirmed that it has found alternative transport for 337 of the 351 affected pupils and says it is “continually working to source provision” for the remaining pupils.
The remaining 14 have been contacted about the situation and “so far have been very understanding”, Cumbria County Council said.
Jansen Travel was contacted for comment.
351 pupils left without school transport after Jansen Travel ceases trading
