TAXI FOR THE SCHOOLRUN
‘Bizarre’ transport plan for pupils after bus-pass U-turn
CHILDREN are being sent to school by taxi after council bosses axed free bus passes for primary pupils.
CHILDREN are being sent to school by taxi after council bosses scrapped free bus passes for primary pupils.
The move, dubbed “bizarre” by one parent, comes a year after officials were forced into a u-turn over a decision to remove free bus passes from around 1,500 Glasgow pupils.
Youngsters who live more than 1.2 miles from their school are entitled to a free bus pass. Last year, councillors moved to change this to two miles in a bid to save money on school transport.
Now, a number of primary age children have had their bus pass removed and will instead be taken to school by taxi with no consultation with parents.
One dad, who asked not to be named, said: “Last Saturday, we received a letter stating that pupils would again no longer receive bus passes – but would instead be picked up by taxi every morning and returned home from school every afternoon by taxi also.
“I actually walk to school with my daughter so I have asked them not to send a taxi as we just used the bus pass when it was raining.”
As well as pointing out the additional cost of travelling by taxi, the father added: “The city council is signed up to various environmental and air-pollution related targets and agreements. Employing taxis will not help that.
“Similarly, all sorts of campaigns are run through the year to encourage children to walk to school and be active, and keep cars away from school entrances and surroundings – yet here they are ensuring no walking at all among these pupils and that there are many more cars, ie taxis, arriving at the schools. “It’s frankly bizarre.” A letter to parents from Glasgow City Council reads: “Please note that from this year primary school children who meet the criteria for free school transport, will no longer be issued with a bus pass to travel on service buses.
“From August those children qualifying will be transported from your home address to school.”
A council spokeswoman insisted only some children are affected.
She said: “Taxis are used in some instances to take a small number of primary age children to and from school, where this is deemed the safest way of getting them there.
“Where there are sufficient numbers meeting criteria for free school transport in the same area we will always look to provide a dedicated school bus.”
Last year, the decision to increase the qualifying distance for a free bus pass was designed to save £615,000.
Around 300 primary and 1200 secondary pupils were affected by the decision.
Less well-off parents were concerned they would struggle to pay for their children’s fares to school and, after a campaign, the move was dropped.
The dad added: “Child safety is a compelling and emotional argument – but given that, you would think that it would have been discussed with schools and parents, indeed consulted upon, with the discussions balanced between those perceived benefits and the downsides.