People have a say on school transport shake-up

Council chiefs in County Durham are calling on people to have their say over plans to revamp school transport arrangements.

Durham County Council currently provides home to school transport for almost 9,000 children and young peopleeverydaybutinflationisset to drive the cost of providing the service up by £9.6m next year – to £29.2m.

Followingadetailedreview, the council is considering increasing concessionary fares, phasing out some concessionary routes, a new programme to help children with special educational needs and disabilities and making it simpler for parents to access Personal Travel Budgets so they can make their own travel choices

Cllr Ted Henderson, cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Our home to school transport service is a huge and complex daily operation that involves over 1,000 transport routes.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen costs soar in recent years due to rising fuel prices and wages, inflation, and growing demand, with more steep rises are forecast in future.

“It’s important that we deliver the service in the safest and most efficient way and these proposals are based on an in-depth review of our arrangements.

“We’re seeking the views of parents, carers, pupils, schools, transport providers and other interested parties and we will be listening to what everybody has to say.”

The consultation period runs until Wednesday, April 12.

For full details of the proposals and to take part in the consultation, go to www.durham.gov.uk/consultation

Paper surveys will be available from libraries and Customer Access Points.