Security cameras may be installed on school buses where pupils are causing trouble.
Another way of beating the disciplinary problem could be to provide escorts on certain routes.
The suggestion of installing closed circuit television on school buses has been made to Cornwall county councillors.
It was made by officers during a corporate transport best value review. The report said there are currently disciplinary problems among some pupils, both generally and at certain schools.
Apart from installing CCTV on troublesome routes/vehicles, other suggestions were providing escorts on certain vehicles; using designated senior children to provide a service; ceasing to use double-deck vehicles; and running an education campaign for passengers, and additional training for drivers.
Use of CCTV was said to have a good track record – at a cost. a recent quote was £1,600 per vehicle. Providing escorts involved costs of about £100,000 for double-deckers and recruitment problems, while although ceasing to use double-deckers would be popular with schools and parents 'because of age of vehicles and perceived discipline problems' cost is estimated as £400,000 per annum. Officers also said operators state behaviour is worse on single deck coaches.
Age limit
The review said there is no age limit at present regarding buses used for school routes by operators, and Cornwall has one of the oldest vehicle age profiles in the country. However, imposing an age limit is likely to be extremely costly unless phased in over time. The report said it would be 'resisted by operators with good maintenance records as unfair, and does not directly address real targets, which are raising vehicle maintenance and quality standards.'
It was recommended to the county's lifelong learning scrutiny committee that the status quo is retained, but better monitoring of vehicle standards is established, and costs are explored on a pilot tendering basis.
The matter is to go to full council.