Parents are outraged after pupils have been left with no dedicated bus service to and from Balloch.

Over 50 children in Balloch were excited to enjoy their first day back of term last week (August 17) at the Vale of Leven Academy but were left confused when a school bus didn't pick them up.

A timetable from the Vale of Leven Academy was sent out to parents on June 26 which the Reporter saw and it stated that Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) was meant to notify parents of any changes prior to the school starting in August 2023 as the bus contract was not then confirmed.

However, pupils have now been told by the school that they are to use public bus services in the future.

One angry parent Graeme Sharp has explained that his two teenage children are now avoiding using the public bus service.

He told the Reporter: "We were told by West Dunbartonshire Council that there would be communication over the summer about the bus timetable, but heard nothing.

"From then it was just a waiting game until the first day back. There are only a small amount of seats available [on the public service] which means most pupils are left with the choice to walk home or wait for the next bus and face the same situation.

"The service First Bus are providing is not fit for purpose. It is far too overcrowded and the behaviour and the safety of the kids is not appropriate. They are choosing to walk home after school instead as they feel it is the safest option. This shouldn't be the case.

"This is something you cannot just wing. This is children's education as they are now missing the first part of their classes as they are late to school. The wellbeing and education of our children remain of utmost importance to our community.

It is understood that SPT was awarded over £20,000 from the contract from West Dunbartonshire Council.

However, the Scottish Government introduced the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel in January last year which means young people aged between five to 21 years are entitled to free bus travel.

A spokesperson from First Bus said: “We can confirm First Bus were awarded the contract for Vale of Leven Academy in Alexandria on the basis of pupils being issued with passes to use First Bus services. The contract does not include a dedicated bus for pupils.

“This type of contract means pupils can use the passes on any First Bus service in the area with services including the 206, 1A and 1 all serving the school.

“First Bus has fulfilled all terms of the tender contract agreed with West Dunbartonshire Council."

A second parent who cannot be named for legal reasons informed the Reporter that pupils travelling to school from Gartocharn were also left stranded in Balloch.

She said: "It is unacceptable that First Bus think this is the right thing to do. Parents are having to group together to take children to school so they don't miss their first lesson. There are parents in our community who work across Glasgow and beyond, so it is an added stress to worry about their child getting to school safely.

"The lack of communication over the situation is very disappointing. There needs to be a long-term solution in place because this can't go on."

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “The parents and pupils affected by this are feeling let down because of a lack of communication and the council needs to reflect on this and learn lessons to avoid it happening in future.

“I hope that parents have now been reassured that the council continue to ensure that pupils from Balloch can get to the Vale of Academy safely and without any additional cost.”

A spokesperson from West Dunbartonshire Council said: "The council apologises to parents and carers for the lack of information regarding school transport for pupils at the Vale of Leven Academy.

"Pupils using their Under 22 travel pass should use the First Bus service only and all other pupils entitled to school transport should travel on the dedicated school transport, Marbil bus."