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The parents who have posted
references and contact details on this page are all happy to
be contacted by prospective parents, and to answer any
queries they can. Let them tell you about the
service just as it is, and to put your mind at rest that your little
sweetie will be just fine on the bus. Read and
enjoy... |
Added 07-02-2010
"The Rufty Tufty bus has been used by our daughter (Oxford
High School) since Year 4, she is now in Year 7. We used to
drive her to school and back daily from Henley, till we came
to know about this bus service. It is reliable, the drivers
are trust worthy, it runs like clockwork through all kinds
of weather. The children have a great time and we have peace
of mind. Please feel free to contact us directly."
Rory & Anu: 01491 413713
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Added 06-02-2010
"My 8 year old son Joel has been getting the Rufty Tufty bus
to and from Wheatley everyday since he started at Magdalen
Junior School in Sept 09 and not only has it made the
logistics of getting him and my other 2 children to school
easy for me, it has been a positive experience for him too.
It was a big thing to let my 'little boy' get to a new
school all on his own but the bus drivers are friendly, the
coach is always on time, and the atmosphere on the bus is
one of one big extended family with the older children often
looking out for the younger ones. I'm perfectly happy that
he's safe and he likes the feeling of independence it has
given him - in fact on the one occasion so far I have had to
pick him up myself from school, he was disappointed to miss
his Tappins bus trip home; what more can I say?"
Maggie Fyffe 01865 874763
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Added 04-02-2010
"My son travels on the Rufty Tufty Bus from Wheatley to
Magdalen College School. We transferred to
this bus partway through his first year following some
trouble on the alternative bus. The Rufty Tufty bus has
always been reliable. We are delighted with the service and
have every expectation of using it for our second son when
he is ready to change schools.
"I cannot praise Pat Read's organization of the bus highly
enough. He made the transfer to the Rufty Tufty bus very
easy for us. Throughout the disruption caused by the snow he
kept us informed of whether the bus would be running or not
with e-mails in the evenings and at 6 am each morning.
"Overall we are delighted with the service."
Graham Smith 01865 873509
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Added 04-02-2010
"My children are in Y9 (Rye St Antony) and
2nd Form (Magdalen) and have been using the
Rufty Tufty Bus since September 09. We are very happy with
the service the bus provides - it is extremely prompt and
reliable and the driver is kind and good-humoured (he waits
if he sees them running a bit late!). I prefer to pay a bit
more for a dedicated school bus than use a public bus
because the driver gets to know the children and if they
leave belongings on the bus they can pick them up the next
day.
"There is a real family feel to this bus service - during
the recent snow we were kept up to date with every detail of
changes to the service caused by the weather, and I loved
the Christmas party on the bus that Pat and his wife
organised for the kids, with party food bags given out to
every child on the way home one December day. It's a big
deal putting your 'little' 11 year old on a bus for the
first time instead of walking them to school (as I had done
every day for the previous 6 years), but trust me, they love
the journey - it's like going on a school trip!"
Liz Wickens (lwickens@lineone.net)
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Added 01-03-2009
"My daughter, Megan has used the Tappins S2 bus for her
journeys to and from school for the past 2 years. The bus is
always punctual and the driver is pleasant and helpful.
Megan has made new friends on the bus as well as having the
chance to chat with existing friends who are on the bus but
go to different schools in Oxford. I would thoroughly
recommend the bus, it gives you complete peace of mind."
Anne Maloney : 01844-279244
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Added 14-02-2009
"This new Tappins Bus has made a huge difference to the
whole school transport issue for us as a family. I now don't
have to worry about arrangements because it's all taken care
of ! It also gives the girls more independence and using the
service means less cars in Oxford."
Anne Peet, Stadhampton
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Added 12-02-2009
"We are now into the second year of using the Rufty Tufty S2
bus for our two daughters. Looking back, I think the thing
that has impressed me the most has been the reliability of
the service: both my wife and I work and we have heard
horror stories about other school buses not turning up in
the morning or even driving past designated stops where
children were waiting. For a working family like our own
this would be a nightmare.
"Happily, we have found that you can set your watch by the
Rufty Tufty bus and we have never had to worry about the bus
not turning up: this is in part a reflection on Tappins, who
provide an excellent service, and the way in which it is
managed (on a not-for-profit basis!) by Pat Read. On the one
occasion that the bus did not run (during the snow last week
when no school buses ran) we received an update at 6am
informing us of the situation. Overall we are delighted, if
- like us - you would like a reliable, well organised bus
service to ferry your children to and from school then I
cannot recommend the Rufty Tufty service highly enough."
S Wells : 07771 880555
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Added 12-02-2009
"Lizzie, our daughter, travels from Headington to the
High School everyday, and loves it as much
as we do. It saves us slogging through traffic twice a day,
it reduces our carbon footprint, and provides Lizzie with a
punctual, companionable journey to and from school - /and/
it is incredible value for money!"Adrian and Berne
Bullock 01865 761997
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Added 11-02-2009
"I still have 2 children using the S2 from our village, we
have used since the start. One uses it both ways to
MCS and continues to enjoy it very much. I have
talked to him about switching to a public bus (cheaper)
but he wishes to remain on it as he likes the
atmosphere. The other older offspring is now in the 6th form
at Cherwell (formerly at OHS)
and takes the S2 part of the way to then catch a public bus
and this works very well too for us. It is so convenient
having a bus that they can walk to in the mornings. It is on
time, clean, Tappins answer the phone promptly when there
are weather issues and Pat emails early in the morning too
with updates. It really works. The big bonus is that it is
one less car on the road at each end of the day.
"Nothing beats that.
"Whatever it costs.
"Wish there were more such buses on the roads all full of
school kids and less cars with one passenger polluting our
precious world!"
Amanda Garrett
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Added 09-02-2009
"My daughter started at Oxford High School
in September 2008, and as a parent, I can honestly say, the
Rufty Tufty bus has been and continues to be, a thoroughly
reliable service. How many other school bus services, email
parents to update them with information and offer discounts
for an annual ticket or additional siblings? The Rufty
Tufty bus would not be possible without the hard work of one
parent (Pat Read) who understands the need for a reliable
and more reasonably priced service. In addition to this, my
daughter has made new friends who make her journey to school
more enjoyable." Mum - Wheatley
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Added 27-01-2008
"My two daughters use the bus from Great Milton to
Oxford High Junior and Senior Schools. They were not at all
enthusiastic about travelling to school by bus, until Rufty
Tufty came along, but now they love it. There is a good
sense of community among the passengers, the driver is
helpful, responsible and kind and the bus is reliable,
punctual and safe. We have been able to rub out a little of
our carbon footprint and the day suddenly has a couple of
extra hours in it. And for a little added amusement, our one
year old son has discovered that Rufty Tufty is responsible
for collecting and delivering his sisters so, whenever he
sees an orange bus go past, he starts to wave vigorously and
calls out ‘Bye-Bye!' "
Updated 13-02-2009
“My children have been using this bus for over a year
now and really enjoy their journey. It is a very reliable,
safe and comfortable service as well as being extremely
convenient. The driver deserves a special mention since he
is always kind, has a good sense of humour and is most
tolerant of forgetful behaviour, waiting while violins,
cricket kit, coats and costumes are passed on board to find
their owners. He has recently become a bit of a hero, being
the pilot of the only school bus which managed to reach
Oxford during the snow (even though most of the usual
passengers were busily filling their gardens with forts and
igloos).”
Lizzy : 01844 278993
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Added 11-01-2008
The Rufty Tufty bus is an excellent and sustainable
transport link in the Watlington area which is poorly served
by regular bus routes. It is safe, reliable and my daughter
particularly enjoys the fact that it is clean, warm and
relaxing for her journey home each evening, with the radio
playing and the opportunity to even do some prep!
Jill Hallam : 01491 613670
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