THE comments by Tom Preston of Worcestershire County Council on the subject of price increases for children's bus passes demonstrate why any attempts to reduce dependency on the car are doomed to fail.
If Mr Preston is truly interested in reducing car use then he might like to visit Cleeve Prior and see for himself the scores of children on the morning busses from Evesham who attend the three high schools in Alcester. Come and see the steady stream of cars taking children to school in Stratford and Chipping Campden.
The reality is that parents can choose whichever school they want (whether they get a place is another matter). If the transport to get them to that school is inadequate or too expensive then they will use their cars? Parents in this village who choose to send children to Prince Henry's High School instead of Evesham High are currently paying around £100 a term on bus fares. Yet the return leg only goes as far as South Littleton so parents have to collect them by car. Aren't we actually paying twice for school transport? Once through our taxes and again because we're forced to buy bus passes.
The real root of the excessive use of cars for the school run is neighbouring councils won't work together.
JANE SULLIVAN, Cleeve Prior, Evesham.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article