Our school coach service

Our students are encouraged to create lasting positive change throughout their lives, for the benefit of themselves, our society and the environment. Having experience of a diverse community is a key factor for this, so we are very proud of our large geographical intake.

Students travel to Habs from across Hertfordshire, North London and beyond, bringing together a rich mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. This diversity strengthens our community and helps students develop the open-mindedness, confidence and awareness needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

While our beautiful 100-acre campus provides a unique environment for learning and exploration, we know that accessibility matters. That is why we operate one of the largest school transport networks in the region, helping students travel safely and efficiently to and from school each day.

Around 70% of students use our coach network, which serves communities across Hertfordshire and North London. Routes extend from Harpenden, Redbourn and Welwyn Garden City in the north to Camden, Belsize Park and St John’s Wood in the south, with connections to key rail and Underground stations including Radlett, Elstree & Borehamwood, Stanmore and Edgware. Students can also travel to multiple tube and train stations including Radlett, Elstree and Borehamwood, Stanmore, Edgware and then travel on our school coaches to Habs.

Our transport network enables students to make the most of life at Habs, whether attending an early morning music rehearsal, staying after school for sport, participating in a society, or taking part in leadership and partnership activities. It helps ensure that geography is never a barrier to opportunity.

We partnered with Vectare, a specialist school transport management company, to assist us with the school bus service. Operated jointly by Habs Girls and Habs Boys, our coach service offers travel options for all students from Reception* to Year 13. The service is for students and staff only. Members of the public cannot use these coaches. All drivers are safeguarding trained and have been subject to an enhanced DBS check.

View our coach network map, routes, timings and prices here

READ OUR full terms of service

Safety and conduct – Habs Hubs (Reception to Year 2)

Allowing our youngest Habs pupils to access the coach network is a large undertaking – their wellbeing and safety is always front of mind. Because of this, there are various rules and regulations around the Hub service. It is very important parents read and understand all the following before they rely on or sign-up to the Hub service.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework dictate the standards which must be met for pupils under Habs care. These standards form the foundation for Habs coach provision for Reception to Year 2. The standard for pupils in Reception are markedly different to those for pupils in Year 1 and Year 2, particularly in regard to ratios and training of adult supervision.

For safety reasons, permission to use the Habs Hub service is at the discretion of the Head of Boys’ Prep and Pre-Prep School and Head of Girls’ Junior School.

A parent or individual explicitly named by a parent or carer will need to be with the Hubster until they board the coach and must be at the Habs Hub to collect them. The exception to this are ‘Hub Siblings’, where an older sibling is able to escort the ‘Hubster’ from the coach to home (please see the Hub Sibling application form for full details, sourced from the Transport Manager).

Hub Siblings allows Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to access the Habs coach network under the supervision of an older sibling. Hubsters are not restricted to using Hub stops only, although applications to use this service need to be made each year to the Transport Manager and approval is at the discretion of the respective school Heads.

Please note due to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) regulations, Reception pupils are not able to use the Hub Siblings service.

Reception to Year 2 pupils will be able to travel to and from Habs Hubs on the morning and 4.15 afternoon coach services (they will not be able to travel on the 5.30 late afternoon service). Early years finish before the rest of the schools, so in-between school finishing and the coach departure at 4.15pm, Hubsters attend after-school care from 3.30pm to 3.45pm, at which point they are escorted to the Coach Park where they meet their Hero.

The wellbeing and safety of our pupils is paramount and combined with the EYFS regulatory requirements Habs must adhere to, dictates the standards by which the Hubs service operates.

Therefore, safety and wellbeing of our pupils will always be prioritised over parent convenience. This may mean, in exceptional circumstances, we are unable to provide the coach service for Reception children. Examples might include staff absence due to supporting trips, parent/teacher evenings or illness. Our intention will always be to source alternative cover, but this may not always be possible.

We are unable to allow Reception children in particular to travel on a coach without appropriate adult supervision. Should this situation arise, parents will be responsible for getting their child to/from school – please also note, due to the nature of circumstances this may arise, notification may be at short notice.

For Reception pupils, the Habs Hub service commences the second week of the Autumn term. This is to allow pupils time to settle into their new school before using the coach.

The Habs Coach Service Code of Conduct will apply at all times.

Safety and conduct (Year 3 and above)

All students from Year 3 and up must carry a working mobile phone which is charged and in credit. This does not apply to students in Reception to Year 2 as they will be travelling with a Hero or Hub Sibling who will be carrying their own phone and contact details for the Hubster’s adults.  Seat belts must be worn at all times, and other than water, no food or drink can be consumed on board.

For all Junior and Prep School students, parents are responsible for their child until they board the coach on the journey to school and after they get off on the journey home. Your child must never get off the coach until they have seen the person collecting them at their stop.

If your child misses their stop or realises they are on the wrong coach, they must stay on board. The driver will contact the School Office and make arrangements to take your child to a safe place, where they can be met.

Students, parents or guardians who do not use the service responsibly may have their access withdrawn either permanently, or for a short period of time.

In case of an emergency, please call the Transport Office on 020 8266 1920.