Bridgend Council’s Cabinet is set to approve the latest public consultation on proposed changes to school transport policies (pdf).
It’s an issue Bridgend Council has consistently failed to get to grips with, as proposed changes often meet strong opposition from the public.
The report says BCBC was spending just over £9.8million on school transport during 2023-24. However, there’s been a persistent £1million+ annual overspend on school transport, putting further pressure on BCBC’s finances.
The aim is to save a minimum of £792,000 from the 2025-26 budget, though the measures in the report are expected to save just over £1million.
The proposed changes that are set to go out for consultation, subject to Cabinet approval, include:
- Increasing (where it hasn’t been already) the minimum distance to be eligible for free transport to the legal minimum (1.5 miles for nursery children, 2 miles for primary, 3 miles for secondary), where BCBC has determined there’s a safe walking/cycling route available.
- Ending the “sibling rule”, where younger pupils are eligible for free transport on the same terms as older siblings attending the same school.
- Withdrawing free transport for post-16 students attending English-medium secondary schools, as well as English-medium nursery children (3-4 year olds).
- Free transport would continue for post-16 and nursery children who attend Welsh-medium or faith-based schools and live beyond the minimum distance.
- Free transport for over-16s with additional learning needs living a minimum of 3 miles away (whether attending special or mainstream schools) would be decided on a case-by-case basis.
