TWO purpose-built high capacity single deck vehicles have been introduced by North Yorkshire County Council to make school transport services safer.

The coaches are being provided through a contract between the county council and Stephensons of Easingwold.

It is a response to concerns by parents about children travelling long distances on older double deck vehicles.

The two new coaches have been built by Plaxtons, in Scarborough, and are designed to offer high levels of safety on school services. Each vehicle can carry a fully-seated load of 70, and all seats are fitted with three-point seat belts.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, the authority's executive member for education, said: "The county council is serious about children's safety. In response to concerns from parents we undertook a risk assessment on the use of double deck vehicles between Tockwith and King James School, Knaresborough.

"This showed that this type of vehicle was not appropriate. We were delighted when our contractor offered to provide two new high capacity single deck vehicles to ensure a safe and comfortable journey to and from school."

Dave Stephenson, from Stephensons of Easingwold Ltd, said: "We see this as a development opportunity for the company. We have worked closely with the county council over many years and were pleased to be able to take the initiative and invest in new buses. In addition to home to school transport services we expect to be able to market these vehicles to schools and other organisations."

Updated: 10:12 Saturday, October 30, 2004