Axing school travel will be ‘impossible’ for parents

BIRMINGHAM City Council will be ‘guilty of discrimination’ against disabled young people if it presses on with cost-cutting plans to axe a school minibus and taxi service, angry parents claimed.

They are opposing council plans to end door-to-door assisted transport for young people aged 16 to 18 to save millions of pounds a year.

An alternative offer of a bus pass or individual travel budget, backed up with ‘independence’ training, will be offered to eligible students.

That might be feasible for some families – but not all, say parents.

Hayley Francey, who uses a powered wheelchair, said it would not be possible for her to get her disabled son Conner, 15, to and from school any other way.

“It is an impossible situation,” said Ms Francey, who lives with Conner in the Northfield area.

He attends a specialist school in Dudley that is suitable for his needs. At present he is taken to and from school 13 miles away by taxi-bus which is shared with two other children and a travel guide.

But when he moves into sixth form, the service will automatically end.

“To transport him on the bus would involve two or three buses in and out of the city, and time wise I’ve worked out it would take nearly two hours door to door, then I’d have to reverse that, and repeat at night,” said Ms Francey. “I can’t stay in my chair upright for hours or so a day, it would be impossible, and at rush times I don’t imagine I’d even get on.”

Conner has difficulties processing information, has autism and severe anxiety. As a result, one of his triggered responses is to ‘run away’ when startled or frightened, so he requires one-to-one care.

“The only way he can get to and from school is because of the transport system that the council operates. If that goes, as they plan, he will not be able to continue with any education. The school he attends, Wenlock School in Dudley, has done wonders with him and he deserves the opportunity to continue.”

The city council said they have ‘no choice’ but to consider the move amid soaring costs for a service they are not legally obligated to provide.

The council said providing an assisted travel service is only legally mandatory for those in school and aged five to 16. The offer of travel assistance for those aged 0-4 and 16-18 is not mandated.

The council said: “We do understand and appreciate the impact that these changes will have for many families. A level of support will continue to be given to many students and families, albeit at a reduced level. The city council is also committed to independent travel training to help prepare our students.”