Travelling To School By Bus
This page will updated soon, as it has some out of date information on it
Since lockdown at the end of March, transport across Greater Manchester has changed significantly, and it won’t be back to normal when the new school term begins.
It’s important that you plan ahead for how your child will get to and from school and check the latest travel advice. You should also apply now for any tickets or passes you may need.
Please consider whether your child can walk or cycle to school – it can be a safe and healthy way for pupils to make shorter trips. There is a TfGM planner available here. The Government have relaxed social distancing rules on dedicated school transport services and TfGM have removed the requirement for separate pass for the Yellow School Bus so any child can use them. We are anticipating the school bus services to run at capacity. Social distancing measures remain in place on all other forms of public transport which will result in significantly reduced capacity on commercial services.
We are currently working with TfGM to secure additional capacity on the 320 route and will update as soon as we have the information.
Your child will need to follow safe travel guidance and take responsibility for keeping themselves and other passengers safe on all buses:
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Wear a face covering for the length of their journey unless a medical condition prevents them from doing so
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Students will be asked to take seats from the ‘back to the front’ to minimise contamination
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It would be advisable for students to sit in the same seat for both the morning and afternoon journey and with your year group, where possible.
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Students must remain seated and facing forward at all times where possible, however standing will be permitted on the school buses once seating capacity is filled
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Clean their hands regularly
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Bus operators will deep clean the bus each night in preparation for the following morning
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Use contactless payment or exact change only where possible.
The fares on the buses are dependent upon the type of bus and its classification as either a school service or public bus. The cost of journeys from September 2020 are:
Here is the link to purchase a 28 day ticket.
Children aged 11 to 16 must have an igo card to travel using a child ticket on buses in Greater Manchester. Some bus tickets are only available to buy using igo as a smart card, even for those under 11, as tickets are loaded onto the igo card instead of giving a paper ticket.
The card costs £10 and is valid until 31 August after the child’s 16th birthday. More information on igo can be found here. A stamped application form is available in the school office. For the latest information on timetables, tickets, changes to Yellow School Bus services and further advice on cycling and walking, visit TfGM’s Back to School Hub here.
"PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS CAN
TRAVEL ON ANY OF THESE SERVICES, EVEN THOSE PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED AS ST EDMUND ARROWSMITH HIGH SCHOOL BUSES,
THE 650, 651, 656 AND 920".
Timetables for the above routes for 2020-21 can be found here (please note we are still awaiting further information on the 320 and 778 routes).
There are a number of public buses that run into Ashton Town Centre close to school. The following services run from these areas - more details can be found via this link:
Cumfy Bus service 559: Bolton – Hindley – Ashton via Platt Bridge and Bamfurlong
Stagecoach Services 10: Wigan – Ashton – Leigh via Golborne and Lowton
Hatton Travel service 607: Wigan – Ashton via Marus Bridge
Huyton Travel service 156: Ashton – St Helens