Home to School Policy aims to be fair to all

Many residents will be aware of the consultation we have launched regarding school transport.

I wanted to bring some additional clarity given some misinformation being distributed on social media.

The council is required to review the Home to School Transport policy annually.

The review takes place in February, consultation takes place in March/April and the final version of the policy is published in May.

I want to underline and emphasise that we want the policy to be fair to all residents and schools across the Borough, while ensuring transport assistance is still provided to our most vulnerable pupils.

Hence, our stated option in the consultation is to retain the provision of free bus passes for statutory school age low income fare paying families.

For transparency, we list all options, but I am clear we will continue to protect statutory school age low income families with continued free passes.

Why an increase in fees for SEND pupils aged over 16 travelling greater distances?

This was one of the options considered, however, the council’s stated option is to retain the flat rate fee charge regardless of the distance travelled.

For transparency, the option is listed in the consultation.

Therefore, there is no proposed penalty for those travelling further distances based on our proposal.

We are proposing that low income families with pupils over 16 years of age do make a contribution to their transport, but at no more than 50 per cent of the standard bus pass rate.

Individual circumstances will always be considered.

Holyport Village is served by two public bus operators, the White Bus (school service only, direct to Cox Green) and Courtney Bus (change in Maidenhead for

Cox Green). The council purchases bus passes on these services for entitled pupils.

The council is proposing to withdraw the automatic entitlement to a free bus pass on public transport currently offered to Holyport Village and to withdraw the subsidy offered specifically to Eton Wick residents only to make this the same policy across the whole Borough.

Holyport Village and Eton Wick residents will still be able to apply for transport assistance.

In this instance, if a resident is not entitled to a free bus pass under the policy and they live in Holyport Village they will be able to purchase a bus pass on the local public bus services provided by White Bus and Courtney Bus respectively.

Residents living in Eton Wick and not entitled to free transport will be able to purchase a bus pass on the council contracted school coaches or the Fernhill public bus service.

We are proposing to retain the provision of free bus passes for statutory school age low income fare paying families.

The focus of this consultation is to get all views, but our priorities are clear: protect statutory school age vulnerable low income families by continuing the free pass; ensure fairness and equity across the system and all of the Borough; and ensure we provide transport assistance to all our entitled students.

I would encourage all residents to complete the consultation. Visit tinyurl.com/kvkmd23k