We bought an annual pass for a school bus service between Claverdon and SGGS at the start of term at a cost of £1,200. This was the only option available. Unfortunately it became clear very quickly that the high pressure and competitive environment of a grammar school was the wrong fit for my sensitive daughter and we made the enormously difficult decision to move her to another school, where thankfully she is much happier. However Ridleys have refused to refund any of the cost of the pass we bought, even though my daughter only used it four times. I'm so disappointed with their approach and would really warn against using Ridleys for school transport if you have other options. The true ethos of a company shows in situations such as this one, and we have been so disappointed in the way this has been handled, without an ounce of compassion or understanding.
Recommendation: Use a different company
It’s really disappointing that Ridleys Coaches refused to offer any form of refund for the annual pass, especially given the circumstances. Having to make the difficult decision to move your daughter to a school that’s a better fit should have been met with some level of understanding, and the fact that she only used the pass four times makes their rigid stance even more frustrating. As you mentioned, how a company handles situations like this speaks volumes about its ethos. It’s unfortunate that Ridleys has shown such little compassion in this case. Hopefully, your warning encourages others to consider their options carefully.