We issued a parental press release on Tuesday 14 December related to the planned decision by Midland Classic to cancel their 829 service to The Friary School.

This decision has now been changed.

We have continued working with Midland Classic on this and they have now decided to retain their service but will increase ticket prices. This at least means the option to use the service remains.

 The options for the children from Handsacre, Brerton & Rugeley are as follows

 Midland Classic

 AM – Midland Classic – 829:
Springfields, Grindcobbe Grove          7.33am
Rugeley Bus Station                            7.40am
Brerton, Coalpit Lane                          7.46am
Handsacre, Village Hall                       7.54am
The Friary School                                8.05am

 

PM – Midland Classic – 829:

The Friary School                                3.25pm
Handsacre, Village Hall                       3.36pm
Brerton, Coalpit Lane                          3.44pm
Rugeley Bus Station                            3.50pm
Springfields, Tyler Way                       3.57pm
 

This option is the busier service and at times will be standing room only.

The prices for the 829 from January 2022 will increase – partly to encourage students to take the less busy Chaserider service:

Single Ticket £3 (from driver)             Week Pass £22 (from driver and app)

4 Week Pass £75 (from app)               Annual Pass £650 (applying online)

 

Chase Rider

AM – Chaserider – 826 – Stafford to Lichfield Service

Rugeley Bus Station                            7.42am
Brerton, opposite The Willows           7.51am
Handsacre, adj. to Pinfold Drive         7.59am
The Friary School                                8.14am

The 826 does do the return journey too – and there are pick up points off-site – but it does not pick up on the school site.

PM – Chaserider – 828 – Lichfield to Stafford Service

The Friary School                                3.32pm
Handsacre (opp to Pinfold Drive)       3.45pm
Brerton (nr St Michael’s Church)        3.53pm
Rugeley Bus Station                            4.00pm

 

This service also picks up at The Friary School as 4.32pm for any students attending clubs, homework club in the school library or booster classes.

In addition, Midland Classic will no longer accept Chaserider tickets for their service.

However, Chaserider will accept Midland Classic tickets should the slightly earlier Midland Classic bus be full.

Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “Clearly, these bus routes are provided by private companies, and no parent will be happy with price increases, but we are glad that Midland Classic have retained the service.”

“We would also encourage students to get the Chaserider service as – because it comes 7 minutes later – it is a lot quieter and currently guarantees a seat. Students can take this bus and have the option of grabbing 25 minutes homework time in the school library or getting a drink / snack from the end of school canteen service.”

“The key is parents and children taking this information on board and weighing up their best options. There are enough seats to travel if the distribution between the services is more balanced.”