TweetThe BBC report on the number of cuts being made to “optional” school transport services, following a series of FOI requests by the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).
There’s some important background in the report on what services are not optional:
“Local authorities are obliged to provide free school transport for pupils aged between five and 16 years old if their nearest school is more than three miles away. This goes down to two miles for under-eights.
“Children will special educational needs and some from low-income families also get some statutory assistance.
“But councils also provide school transport on a discretionary basis, which is especially valued in rural areas.”
The CBT is also trying to find out more about cuts to bus services more generally. You can add your own information at their website.
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