Parents get money back for school bus passes
Kent County Council (KCC) has confirmed it will refund school bus pass payments made before the coronavirus outbreak.
The authority has issued a statement on compensating those who purchased the Kent Travel Saver but have not been able to use it while schools have been closed.
KCC - which subsidises the pass to the tune of £8m a year - had originally said it would not be offering money back to those who had forked out the £350 annual payment.
But the authority quickly did a U-turn, back in March.
For those customers paying by direct debit, the instalment regime was suspended at the start of lockdown and the final remaining payments will not be collected.
For those who have paid in full, KCC will make a payment of £50 as a goodwill gesture, which the council says reflects typical final instalment values. For parents already eligible for a discounted pass, the refund will be £15.
KCC cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr Michael Payne, said: “This unprecedented situation has created a very complex problem and although the Kent Travel Saver cards are normally non-refundable, we think it is only right and proper that KCC should offer some compensation as a gesture of goodwill to the parents who have been affected. “Parents have not had the full benefit of the Travel Saver card as they expected. KCC will be working hard to get these payments completed as soon as possible.”
Refunds for the 16+ Kent Travel Saver will be made on an individual basis in accordance with its terms and conditions. KCC intends to open the Kent Travel Saver scheme once again for applications for the new school year in mid-July. Details will be available at kent.gov.uk.