Parents cautious over council's school transport policy

Apr 19 2011 By Lawrence Poole

Bucks County Council

PARENTS in Great Missenden have cautiously welcomed a proposed change to the council's home to school transport policy, which could save them thousands.

Following a public outcry, the council has now decided to consider a phased approach, which will only see those pupils starting year 7 this September charged for transport.

Originally Bucks County Council proposed free travel for pupils up to 16 was restricted to the nearest catchment grammar or upper school.
This meant parents faced forking out up to a £1,000 for each child to travel further afield.

Jon Swain, who has a 15 year old boy at Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, said: "From a personal point of view it's good news for me, but as I matter of principle I still think it's really unfair.

"It's seems parents in the villages, who don't have access to regular public transport, are being penalised with this unnecessary tax.

"They'll be extra pollution and congestion from extra cars on the road because parents can't afford the bus fees – you have to question if the council's getting value for money."

A mother of four from Great Missenden, who does not want to be named, is facing paying £4,000 a year to transport her children to school.

She said: "It is good they are taking this phased approach but it still feels like those who can not afford to send their children to private schools are being punished."

Currently, there is free transport to the nearest appropriate school if it is more than two miles from home for pupils aged up to eight and more than three miles for eight to 16 year olds.

Steven Adams, BCC's cabinet member for education, confirmed budget adjustments will be looked at by the full council today (April 21) and he is "optimistic" a way of implementing those changes can gradually be found.

The council spends £18m each year on home to school transport and is hoping to save £2.7m with the new policy.