A “passionate but productive” meeting at CedarBridge Academy brought stakeholders to brainstorm stopgap measures for students left stranded by repeatedly cancelled buses.

The school is often the worst hit when public transport falls short, with representatives telling Tuesday night’s gathering that student safety and academic performance were hurt with attendance.

One student described failing two classes at S2 level due to bus no-shows, at the meetings between representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Public Transportation Board, and parents, teachers and pupils

While minibuses have helped, PTB representatives Stephen Outerbridge and Rodney Grimes conceded that increasing their numbers or capacity might serve best for an ageing fleet plagued by vehicles being abruptly withdrawn from service.

Another student told of being left behind after her minibus was full, waiting at the school for another vehicle that never came. She got home after 6pm.

“Other bus drivers will also be encouraged to stop for students and tell them when they know that a bus is not coming,” a public relations officers for the school told The Royal Gazette.

Specific routes are often cancelled at short notice, and students were recommended to seek alternative buses and connect through Hamilton when their assigned buses were not running.

Students are expected to arrive at CedarBridge by 8.15am, and must attend 97 per cent of classes in order to graduate.

“Let’s say you arrive at 9am and get to your class just after that,” the public relations officer added.

“It has a ripple effect because you interrupt whatever is taking place. The teacher has to stop their work to give you the instructions you need.”

School policy has adjusted so late students are not penalised when CedarBridge is advised of cancellations, although they must get a form signed when they arrive at their class.

One parent told the meeting that, though reluctant to equip his daughter with a bike, felt he was left with no choice.

Other suggestions mooted at the meeting included providing school buses with part-time drivers, having phone companies send out a text warning of cancellations, and increasing the island’s overall fleet.