Council could change bus concessions for school children
Borough: Concessions for special needs pupils reviewed
The Royal Borough is considering removing or changing a range of transport concessions for pupils from September 2021.
It has launched a consultation, open until April 12, to ask residents for their feedback on a number of proposals.
The council wants to withdraw the concession that automatically entitles students living in Holyport village to free bus passes to
Cox Green School.
Bray Parish Council member Brian Millin is against the change.
“[The council] are saying that they wish Holyport residents to be assessed by the same rules as all their residents, but the fact remains that secondary school education is poorly served in this part of the borough,” he said.
“The bus service is poor and it’s always been an issue. There are no real alternatives – you have to use the bus or the car. Cycling to Cox Green is not an option, it’s not safe.”
He added that the proposals were ‘purely driven by financial necessity’ and do not meet the Royal Borough’s other criteria, such as its climate policy.
“Withdrawing the bus passes will lead to increased car journeys along the A308 an already overloaded and polluted road,” he said.
Another potential change is to alter the prices for SEND (special education needs) pupils over the age of 16.
Currently, these students are able to purchase a season ticket on a school
‘We want to review what services need to be supported’
route for a flat rate of £651 per academic year.
The average cost of this transport to the Borough is more than £6,700 a year, a cost partly due to some pupils travelling longer distances.
One possibility is to change the contribution in line with the distance travelled, charging £851 for 5-10 miles, £1,051 for 10-15 miles and £1,251 for 15 miles or more.
William Crossley of Autism Berkshire said that this would unfairly penalise those who must travel further afield, and place an extra burden on already financially burdened families.
“There are only a limited number of specialist units for autistic pupils,” he said. “If a school in the local area doesn’t have that, they will inevitably have to travel further. It’s about finding the best fit.
“We appreciate that the council is in a difficult financial position, but we would be very concerned if families were to find themselves staring down the barrel of a big hike.”
Included in the consultation is the option to begin charging low-income families rather than waiving their fees, but this is not the council’s preferred option.
There are also other proposed changes for primary and nursery school students.
As well as the options laid out by the Royal Borough, residents can also say if they believe any of the concessions should not be changed.
Lead member for transport Cllr Gerry Clark said: “We want to review what services need to be supported – and what services are not needed because usage is so low and costs are so high.
“If there are two people on a bus, it would be cheaper to get them a taxi. Bus operators are under extreme pressure from COVID-19.
“We have been extremely consultative because it’s really important that instead of having plans and then conversations, we shape what we’re doing by residents’ responses.”
He added that impacts on vulnerable groups was high on the council’s criteria for assessing need and coming up with sustainable alternatives.
To give a response to the consultation, complete the Home to School Transport Consultation survey at https://tinyurl.com/pkcpmzmc