Delight at council’s U-turn on bus fees

At a time when many families are struggling with finances, some are breathing a sigh of relief after Worcestershire County Council altered its plans to increase the cost of school bus passes.

We previously reported how costs for pupils in post 16 education were set to jump from £547 to £842 – a 54 per cent increase.

But after parents and pupils voiced concerns about the impact this would have, bosses at County Hall have revised the plans and the rise will now be only £30 from the beginning of the 2013/14 academic year – allowing people to make informed choices about where their children go to college.

Parent Mike Goode was a vocal opponent of the original increase as it would have meant paying almost £300 more a year to send his daughter Beth to sixth form at Pershore High School from the family home in Norton, near Worcester.

But after cabinet agreed to alter the proposals, Mr Goode said: “It was looking pretty scary with the costs they were looking to put up, so we’re delighted and relieved that common sense has prevailed.

At least it means our children can carry on with their education at the place of their choice, which is the most important part of it all.”

The council is looking to save about £1.45 million in school transport as part of its programme to slash its budget by up to £70 million over the next four years.

More than £920,000 will be saved by the end of this financial year by such means as optimising bus routes. Officers believe the changes to travel costs, along with plans to phase out subsidised support for about 500 children attending religious schools and other measures, should cover the remaining savings.

Ruling Conservative cabinet members said changes they have made proved they had listened. They also reminded members that out of about 9,400 pupils the council currently buses to school, more than 7,100 are entitled to free transport and that will not change.