Dedicated school buses will not be available to pupils over the “near future”, Government announced this evening.

A Ministry of Transport spokesman said buses for Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy could not be provided due to a diminished fleet.

The news came as public schools prepare to return tomorrow and a temporary arrangement to supplement the bus service with minibuses comes to an end.

Pupils were asked instead to use regular scheduled buses.

The spokesman said: “Parents and students are encouraged to bookmark the bus scheduling pages on the government portal, or subscribe to receive bus cancellation notifications by e-mail.

“In the event of cancellations, priority will be given to routes that service primary and middle schoolchildren.”

As of today 63 buses of the island’s 105-strong fleet are in service.

The spokesman maintained that the bus situation is expected to improve as buses in the fleet are overhauled and new buses arrive, starting with one this month.

He added: “An RFP for fleet replacement is drafted and is being reviewed prior to issuance. This is a longer term project that will be undertaken as budget allows.”