County Council must increase free school transport
The cause of sixth–form students denied free transport to their colleges and schools has been taken up by Helen.
Helen is unhappy that sixth form students in her constituency are being charged over one hundred pounds per term in order to take the bus to their college or school. Many families have difficulty paying, especially in small villages where there is no alternative. Ending their children’s entitlement to the school bus contrasts with new entitlements for children from low income families to free transport, which effectively only applies in urban areas.
Helen said, “I am receiving more and more complaints about lack of free school transport and charges being imposed on students simply for travelling to their nearest place of study. It is especially a problem in rural areas where the nearest school can be many miles away and bus services are limited at best.
“In my view every person should have the right to free transport for educational purposes up to the age of 18. Improving services for children living close to many schools in urban areas at the expense of children in rural areas is totally unacceptable.
“I have now taken up this matter with Durham County Council as they need to think again about their policy. The County is pressing for unitary status – if this is to work they must be more sensitive to the needs of those living in rural areas. We quite rightly encourage young people to stay on in education to get the skills and qualifications they need – this cut is inconsistent with that aim.
“Charging for school transport is a real step backwards. After all I had free bus travel to school in the 1970s and my father had it in the 1930s!”
Filed under: Uncategorized on May 31st, 2007
