turn on school bus payments in Essex

Parents in Essex have expressed relief after a local school bus operator, Flagfinders, announced it would revert to its previous payment structure for school transport. The company faced significant backlash after initially changing its payment policy, prompting a swift response in which it admitted to making a mistake. In a statement released on Thursday, Flagfinders acknowledged the error, stating, "Apologies, we got it massively wrong," and confirmed plans to reintroduce a direct debit option for parents. Mark Everitt, a parent whose son commutes from Rayne to Great Dunmow, highlighted the financial strain the new payment structure would have imposed. He noted that the requirement to pay £1,100 upfront by February was unmanageable for many families, whereas a monthly payment plan would have been feasible. His sentiments were echoed by other parents who were concerned about the sudden financial burden. Anne Hooks, a member of Braintree District Council, praised the reinstatement of the nine-month direct debit option, emphasizing the importance of considering parents' financial situations. She criticized the company's initial decision to change the payment terms with little notice, calling it "unacceptable." Hooks acknowledged the rising costs of providing transport services but stressed that these should not come at the expense of families. The reinstatement of the direct debit option has been welcomed by the community, alleviating concerns over the financial implications of school transport fees.