THE council has apologised for transport issues faced by pupils during their first week back at school following the summer holidays.

Parents across the Wee County have been expressing their frustration over the way the bus service for the academic year has been delivered.

They have been citing problems such as the lack of communication over changes, with timetables issued on the Monday before schools returned.

They have also highlighted fumbles with the passes which allow youngsters to get on board at bus stops, along with timing issues themselves.

One mother of two, from Sauchie, said what was happening was a “total disgrace” and that most of the parents were “up in arms about it”.

Others have also raised concerns about the problems arising from cost-cutting and the local authority “saving money”.

Cllr Derek Stewart, for Clackmannanshire Central, said he is wholeheartedly supporting parents and would be speaking to the appropriate people.

According to Clackmannanshire Council, which has received a number of complaints via social media, there will be investigations into the failures.

It also said on Monday, August 28 that the remainder of the passes had been issued to children and asked them to check timetables to ensure they get onto the correct bus.

Chief education officer Anne Pearson said: "I would like to apologise on behalf of the council for the difficulties that many pupils have encountered with transport.”

Education spokesperson, Cllr Graham Lindsay, added: “The SNP administration has instructed urgent action by officers to ensure a proper service for this week and a full investigation of how this failure arose.

"Meetings took place on Friday with the headteachers of Lornshill Academy and Alva Academy and the bus companies and further meetings will take place next week.

“The remaining bus passes were issued this morning [Monday] to pupils and we will continue to work with the bus companies to improve issues around timetabling.

"I'd like to thank all parents and pupils for their co-operation and patience in what has been a challenging week for everyone.”

Cllr Stewart would like the situation to be reviewed so it can work for the parents and pupils of Clackmannanshire.

He said: “Unfortunately, most of the kids and parents didn't know until two or three days before they were going to school what was happening.

“What time they were to get picked up and all the rest of it and there's no reasons given to their parents why the times had been changed – and that's caused the biggest problems with the parents.”

He added: “What I've been doing is, I've been speaking to the appropriate people to try and get this sorted out.”

For some parents in Sauchie, whose children are collected from Pompee Road, the main issue is the new departure time they have been given.

The youngsters are being picked up from this spot 45 minutes before the school day starts, which they feel is too early.

However, Hunters Executive Coaches, which services the route, has acknowledged the views and is working to remedy the timetable.

Director Julie Jack, said: “Hunter's Executive Coaches Ltd were awarded Clackmannanshire Council school contracts to commence in August 2017 as the best value operator to the council, following a full procurement process and the timetables compiled were agreed with the council.

“From the commencement of the contracts on Tuesday 22 August 2017, management and staff from Hunters Executive Coaches Ltd have monitored the school contracts every morning and afternoon.

“Some complaints were received from parents who were concerned about school journeys operating earlier than in previous years.

“When we became aware of this we arranged meetings with Alva and Lornshill Academies on the morning of Friday 25 August 2017 to establish the requirements of the schools.

“Revised timetables have been shared with the schools and the council and will be implemented on agreement.”