School bus service cuts affect pupils at three Notts schools
PUPILS from three schools have had their designated bus service cut by Notts County Council.
The 221 to Rushcliffe School, the 445 to Becket School in West Bridgford and the 700 to Carlton-le-Willows School will no longer run.
The buses are for pupils who live within three miles of the schools, and the fare was subsidised.
Parent Conrad Nieduszynski, of Lady Bay, said: "The timing of this decision complicates the matter for parents trying to make alternative arrangements for their children.
"We received the letter on the penultimate day of term leaving no time for discussions with other parents or Rushcliffe School before the end of term, when many families and teachers go on their summer holiday.
"There are no public transport alternatives for getting from Lady Bay to Rushcliffe School, therefore most children will have to walk, which can be 45 minutes each way.
"Many parents will therefore opt to drive their children to from school with obvious implications for the environment and traffic around the school."
Meanwhile, there is good news for youngsters who live further away from school.
Free transport is set to be provided for secondary school pupils in Notts to attend any school they wish within a 25-mile radius.
The scheme, set up by the county council's ruling Conservative Group, will be introduced over the next five years and cost £1.725m a year.
But those affected by the latest school bus cuts will not be able to take advantage as they live within three miles of their school.
Mark Hudson, head of transport services at Notts County Council, said: "The contract for this service expired at the end of term, along with many others.
"We sought competitive tenders to replace the service but the tenders showed it was no longer affordable in the current economic climate.
"If it were to continue, the fares would only cover 39% of its annual £44,000 cost".
Anyone who has purchased a bus pass for the new term will receive a full refund.
Mr Hudson added: "We are sorry that this action has been necessary and we will continue to discuss services with local operators to see if any of them are willing to operate a school service without funding."
26 Comments
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by Fiona, Lady Bay
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 7:14PM
“This was not and never has been a free service! What price safety, exactly......will the drivers be vetted? will £2 or £2.50 be the cost, will parents pay £10 per week? 2 children, £20...this does make the car seem attractive now, doesn't it.”
by Leon, Nottingham
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 4:31PM
“Unreal. These are DISCRETIONARY services, provided for a few people.
I suppose the parents could club togther and pay for a bus themselves if they were that bothered? Oh, hang on, that may cost them some money. How much is your child's safety worth then?”
by Bettie Goodyear, Burton Joyce
Monday, July 26 2010, 12:48PM
“I agree that Conservatives are right to get these children walking. The Liberals and Conservatives are right not to listen to special pleading whether it be the elderly re their care homes, savers re their national savings certificates, motorists re the A453 or these kids re their buses. Nobody owes these people a living and we have voted for things to change.”
by Earl Manvers, Nottingham
Saturday, July 24 2010, 7:41PM
“Mr S, I trust that you are equally critical of the City Council for not providing these subsidised bus services although you have not mentioned it.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Saturday, July 24 2010, 2:44PM
“A lot of you have just shown us again that this is not a good idea.
It's OK saying 'in my day this, in my day that', but as I think someone else said there's more traffic around these days.
If this leads to more people going by car that certainly is not good news for reducing congestion and improving the environment.”
by Pat, Gedling
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:28AM
“I have the solution to the bus problem ..all the parents in Lady Bay and other areas affected must choose to send their kids to schools about 20 miles away then the council will have no problem funding their bus travel in full! What ever happened to the idea of supporting community schools? The county council's logic is seriously flawed over this issue.”
by Pat, Gedling
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:27AM
“I have the solution to the bus problem ..all the parents in Lady Bay and other areas affected must choose to send their kids to schools about 20 miles away then the council will have no problem funding their bus travel in full! What ever happened to the idea of supporting community schools? The county council's logic is seriously flawed over this issue.”
by Mat, notts
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:19AM
“Blame these cuts on the greedy bankers and the conservative county council leader. The tories dont want public services and are going out of their way to ensure they are removed,
the public should be aware that many more cuts are on the way!!!!!”
by Fiona, lady bay
Saturday, July 24 2010, 8:38AM
“Just another thought. Where is the 'every child matters' agenda here. Staying safe being one of the main outcome targets. Ofstead commented on road safety issues in their last report on Notts county council children's services. I somehow feel this will not help to improve their disappointing outcomes.”
by Someone's mum, Carlton
Saturday, July 24 2010, 12:29AM
“My daughter is just 11 & due to start at CLW in September & this is the first I know about the bus service being cancelled. It's a 45min walk from our house & crosses some busy roads. Even before this news the school had asked parents to avoid using their cars to ease congestion but who wants their 11 year old daughter walking that distance home in the rain on a dark winter's evening? At least with the bus there was a safer option.”