School Transport
Home to School Transport – St Mary’s Catholic School
It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their child(ren) arrives to school punctually every day. There are a number of options available to students at St Mary’s Catholic School.
- Walking – The School’s pedestrian gates open from 8.15am in the morning and remain open until when all after-school activities have finished.
- Cycling – The School has a bike shelter which can accommodate up to 20 cycles at any one time. Students must provide their own bike lock to secure their bicycle.
- Train – Students can travel to the Bishop’s Stortford Train station (which lies on the Cambridge to Liverpool Street line), which is an approximate 15 minute walk from the School.
- Coach/Bus – There are a range of public and private bus routes available to the school.
The main ones are:
- Golden Boy Coaches – This company operates a school ‘administered’ service. This means that all payments and enquiries are handled by the school, who also issue bus passes. The coaches serve routes along the A10 corridor, starting at Waltham Cross. A full list of routes can be obtained from the school by contacting info@stmarys.net. These routes are not shared with students from other schools.
- BarkerBus Coaches – This company operates and administers buses to/from St Marys from a variety of locations along the A10 corridor. A full list of routes can viewed on their website at www.barkerbus.co.uk under the ‘Home to School’ section. All bookings and enquiries must be made directly with the company (who also issue the bus passes) at 01279 793 800 or barkerbusltd@outlook.com. These routes are not shared with students from other schools.
- ACME Coaches – This company operates a public service from Saffron Walden to St Mary’s calling at villages on route. All bookings and enquiries must be made directly with the company at 01279 871 707 or enquirie@acme-transport.com
- Public Buses – There are a variety of routes that serve the town of Bishop’s Stortford, with various bus stops offered. You can find more information on these from https://www.intalink.org.uk/ - Please note Herts County Council operates a Savers Card which entitles pupils to half price travel on public buses. Please apply to Herts County Council at least 3 weeks before you start school.
St Mary’s Catholic School has appointed a school transport coordinator, Mrs Crowhurst, who is a member of staff, to meet all the buses each morning and see all the buses off site in the afternoon.
Eligibility for financial assistance:
Parents on a low income may gain a free place through the County Council. Applications must be made to the Admissions and Transport team, CHR102, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG12 8DQ. The County Council will choose the service it wishes to buy for any eligible pupils.
Method of payment:
The Golden Boy service procured by the school relies on parents paying in advance, as outlined above. The prices of other companies, and their payment schedules, can vary as these routes operate under commercial licences, and there is no contract with the school. Please contact each company directly.
Herts County Council operates a Savers Card which entitles pupils to half price travel on public buses. Please apply to Herts County Council at least 3 weeks before you start school
Travel Coordinator:
St Mary’s Catholic School has appointed a school transport coordinator, Mrs Crowhurst, who is a member of staff, to meet all the buses each morning and see all the buses off site in the afternoon.
I do hope this helps you in planning your child’s journey to and from school, should you have any additional query please contact us directly on info@stmarys.net and we will endeavour to help and assist you.
