A CONCERNED dad is calling for urgent changes to Rugby bus routes after his daughter was almost abducted on her way to school.
The worried father is pleading with Warwickshire County Council to improve routes to avoid more incidents where young children are under threat.
His daughter has to walk around a kilometre to her nearest bus stop – including walking down a secluded pathway – as no buses travel through the area of Rugby where she lives.
Police officers visited his daughter’s school to investigate the incident when the girl was ushered towards a stranger’s car on her walk to school.
Her father, who The Observer has decided not to name to protect his daughter’s identity, said: “This long walk results from the fact that there are no direct routes and I know there are lots of children who are not able to get on buses in the area, and I have been told most of the buses are already over-subscribed.
“I even heard residents complaining about the amount of cars arriving at schools in the mornings, even with buses over-subscribed. So its clear to me that more routes throughout the town are needed.
“Something must be done to help children who have to get to school and even provide transport for adults who work in and around the areas with no bus routes.”
He contacted the county council as well as bus companies but they were unable to help. His daughter’s school had also sought the help of the council but they received no response.
He decided to get in touch with Rugby MP Mark Pawsey who said he had seen the problem himself after talking with constituents who complained about school traffic.
Mr Pawsey said: “This has become extremely urgent issue after hearing about what has happened (to the schoolgirl). It’s more than just the availability of buses now, it is about making sure children are safe.
“We want to encourage children to take public transport to school, clearing some of the early morning car traffic, but it seems there is a real gap in bus services serving some areas of the town.”
Mr Pawsey has contacted the council, calling for a review of bus services in Rugby to make sure residents have better access to safe travel.
