Arriva staff praised for helping Liverpool pupils prepare for independent bus travel

Arriva staff have been praised for their “outstanding” support in helping Liverpool primary school pupils prepare to travel independently when they start secondary school.

The bus operator took part in a Transition Event at Liverpool Football Club, organised by Liverpool City Council for Year 6 pupils across the city.

Arriva colleagues delivered bus demonstrations, safety talks and interactive sessions designed to build the children’s confidence in using public transport without an adult.

For many pupils, moving to secondary school in September will mean travelling further from home and making their way to and from school independently for the first time.

The event gave children an opportunity to become more familiar with bus travel and learn how to make their journeys safely.

Following the sessions, Arriva is encouraging parents and carers to use the school summer holidays to practise their child’s new route before the start of term.

A trial journey can help children become familiar with their bus stop, recognise local landmarks and understand where they need to get off. It also gives families an opportunity to discuss what children should do if their bus is delayed or their usual service is unavailable.

Arriva’s Stop and Stay safety campaign, aimed at Year 6 pupils, provides advice for children who may be travelling by bus independently for the first time.

Richard Hoare, managing director for Arriva North of England and Wales, said:

“Helping young people travel independently and safely is something our teams take real pride in.

“Seeing our drivers and staff connect with pupils and support them through the day is exactly the kind of community spirit we’re proud of at Arriva.

“For an 11-year-old who’s never travelled alone by bus, it can be quite daunting – especially on top of having to go to a new school – but I can reassure parents and children that our drivers are always there to help and events like this are so useful in getting on the front foot, so children can feel a bit more comfortable travelling round by themselves.”

Catherine McNeill, neighbourhood manager at Liverpool City Council, said:

“Arriva’s support was exceptional.

“Their staff delivered engaging demonstrations and talks that helped build children’s confidence around independent travel. Their commitment, flexibility and enthusiasm made a real difference to the success of the day.”

One of its central messages encourages passengers to remain on the pavement after leaving a bus and wait until the vehicle has moved away before attempting to cross the road.

Families can also make use of the government’s free bus travel scheme during August.

Children aged between five and 15 can travel free on participating local bus services across England from August 1 to August 31, making the summer holidays an ideal time to complete a low-cost practice journey ahead of the new school year.

More information and safety resources are available through Arriva’s Stop and Stay campaign.