Parents across the region are being encouraged to register or renew Yellow School Bus places ahead of the new academic year.
Applications for the service, which exceeded 6,000 last year, must be done online between 1 and 30 June. Applicants without internet access can call 0161 244 1000 for more information.
This year, parents will be able to choose their preferred option from the 95 dedicated yellow school bus routes, which are served by a fleet of 93 buses and cater for 46 schools across the region.
Pupils should ensure that they either already have an igo card or have applied for an igo card in order to use the service. A Yellow School Bus pass is not valid without an igo card.
Transport for Greater Manchester Head of Bus, Howard Hartley, said: “Yellow school buses are a great way to travel, providing children and their parents with a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to the school run.
“However, places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and failure to either apply for a new place or renew an existing place before the end of June could see children miss out on a place.
“Therefore it is important that parents apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
The portal may open again in mid-July, but only for services that still have spaces available.
The hybrid-electric buses – which cost £210,000 each – were part-funded by the government’s Green Bus Fund and reduce harmful emissions by up to 35% compared to diesel buses.
Since their introduction in 2003, Greater Manchester’s yellow school buses have taken millions of car journeys off the road and proved successful in tackling on-bus anti-social behaviour.
The services pick-up and drop-off children close to home, in a safe place to wait and board.
Children using yellow school buses sit in the same safety-belt fitted seat every day, which helps prevent vandalism and litter – and buses have interior and exterior CCTV video recorders.
Buses can seat 57-67 students, with a regular driver who recognises registered passengers, reducing behaviour problems. All drivers are specially trained in customer care and disability awareness.
To make an application or obtain more information on yellow school buses, visit www.tfgm.com/buses/yellowschoolbus
