I am reaching out to everyone to address a concern that affects our children who travel between St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. Recently, the Herts Bus "Service Improvements" led to the cancellation of the 721 bus, which was replaced by the 300 service. However, a significant gap has been left in the middle of the afternoon, precisely when our school children need transportation.

Previously, the 721 bus offered a service at 15:15 and 15:45, perfectly timed for school hours. With the introduction of the 300, there are no buses available from 15:00 to 16:30. I've noticed that the recent changes were made to support children from St Columbus School—a private institution—while our local state school children have been left without a vital service.

The lack of a 15:45 bus service causes inconvenience and anxiety for many families, forcing them to seek alternatives that are both costly and time-consuming. For working parents and guardians, it becomes a daily struggle to juggle work commitments with late school pick-ups.

I urge the Hertfordshire County Council to address this gap urgently by adding a 300 service at 15:45, ensuring all children, regardless of the school they attend, have equitable access to public transport. Sign this petition to let the council know that our children's needs should be a priority, and let's push for a practical change that supports every family in our community.