FAMILIES whose children rely on a bus service to Winterbourne Academy are still waiting to find out who will operate it from September.
A new operator is being sought for the 459 from Lyde Green and Emersons Green, via Bromley Heath, after Stagecoach said it would no longer run it commercially.
South Gloucestershire Council has awarded a new contract for the 427 service, which runs from Frenchay and will be operated by Eurocoaches next year.
However an operator has yet to be found for the 459 service.
WECA is carrying out a contract tendering process on behalf of South Glos.
A WECA spokesperson said: “We have requested prices from operators to commence service from September 2024, subject to affordability.”
A South Gloucestershire spokesperson said: “This process is live at present but will not conclude until after the end of term. We are working closely with the school so that updates can be provided to parents over the school holidays.”
Campaigners have warned that the 459 is already “significantly oversubscribed” and could be even more in demand if another service is axed.
Libby Rogers, a parent who is trying to save the 458 from Downend, says a “lottery system” will be introduced for families using the 459 whose children are not entitled to free transport, requiring them to pay £200, three times a year, for a place on the bus.
Libby said the situation was “immoral and unjust”.
Cabinet councillor Chris Willmore said: “We sympathise hugely with all of the families affected, both the 458 families and those on the 427 and 459 routes. Our difficulty is that we’re not the transport authority, so there’s very little we can do.”