Tracey Le Page, back row, right, is leading the protests about overcrowded school buses. Alongside her are, left to right, Karly Besnard, Megan Bailey, Debbie Archer and Mrs Le Page’s daughter, Alaina. In front are Jade Duquemin and Jesse Archer. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0639186)

PARENTS are worried that school children could be injured due to overcrowding on buses. La Mare de Carteret Secondary School has a large catchment area and relies on buses to get its pupils into school.

With many pupils transferring from St Peter Port School, the school buses from Town have been struggling to cope with the increase. ‘Someone is going to get killed,’ said mum Tracey Le Page. ‘It is not acceptable.

She claims to have spent many mornings with her daughter, Alaina, 12, ensuring she and her classmates get to school.  There is a dedicated school bus, followed by the 3A bus. However, these do not always manage to accommodate all the children.

This week, Mrs Le Page was left in the rain with 14 children after both buses had left.

‘I was left there with the kids. I had to call the Education and the Environment departments as well as Island Coachways. But they all pass the buck.’

‘The department has continued to monitor demand,’ said its minister, Peter Sirett. ‘Following increased pressure on the morning services (now standing room only), the department has decided to operate a further, additional, dedicated, school-bus service in the mornings.’

• Island Coachways was unavailable for comment last night.