Yob fears over school bus proposal
PLANNED changes to school buses could see more pupils travelling in cars and increase antisocial behaviour on public transport, a report claims.
Nottingham City Council is planning a major upheaval of its bus services to the city's faith and single-sex secondary schools.
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The city council is planning to withdraw all dedicated services from September
It is proposing to withdraw all dedicated services from September.
The 450 pupils who qualify for free travel on these would instead be given a free bus pass for regular public transport.
In a report for the council's young Nottingham select committee, Michael Downing, director of schools and early years at the authority, said there would be a number of disadvantages, including possible increased use of cars and bad behaviour.
The council also wants to stop discretionary free school travel for all new pupils going to their nearest faith or single-sex secondary school from September 2011.
Mr Downing's report said some secondary school pupils could be faced with longer journeys and a change of bus, while some families could face difficulty finding money for school travel.
He said the council was being forced into the move to slash its spending.
The proposals were previously labelled "discriminatory" by the director of the Nottingham Diocesan Education Service.
Mr Downing said: "In light of the current financial pressures, the council is having to consider options to remove some discretionary school transport services it provides."
Around 650 of the pupils who travel to school for free are currently receiving this support under the discretionary element of the council's home to school transport policy.
Those already at school would be able to continue to receive free transport, with those starting from September 2011 forced to pay, unless they are from low-income families.
Mr Downing said: "Many other local authorities in towns and cities similar to Nottingham no longer provide dedicated school bus services and all pupils travel to and from school on public transport.
"A child can travel across the city on any Nottingham City Transport or tram service for as little as 70p per day when using a citycard travel pass.
"While having regard for the wish of any parent for their child to be provided with education at a school on the grounds of the parent's religion or belief, children's services believes that it is no longer necessary for the local authority to provide discretionary free school travel assistance."
The proposals are set to be decided on by the council's executive board in May.
The young Nottingham select committee recommended that more details are produced before then into a number of matters, including pupil safety and the length of journey times.
If the plans are given the go-ahead, the council would save £90,000 in 2010/11, rising to £351,000 by 2015/16 when all current pupils have moved on.
The council is planning to continue with dedicated bus services for faith primaries.
marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
6 Comments
by Lesta, Lace Market
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:51PM
“A NuLiebour cut to services. Who would have thought it ? Where is Sensible, Badger and J to put some Baron Mandelson spin on this news? Come on Alan, what's your opinion on these cuts ?
Pupils should walk or cycle to their nearest school. Faith schools should be abolished. Stop creating racially and religiously exclusive education.”
by bus driver, notts
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:17PM
“if they stopped giving free bus travel to the druggies and alcholics they could give free bus passes to all children under 16 and yh it would help them in future to think going green like you say jay but the people who make the laws dont go on buses so why should they force others”
by m, gedling
Monday, February 08 2010, 2:48PM
“they will probably re-introduce it when they get their mitts on the wpl money saying
"look what extra services we are putting on"”
by Dave, Nottingham
Monday, February 08 2010, 12:35PM
“Good job it's a Labour council making these cuts; the Usual Suspects would be on here screaming blue murder if it was the Tories...”
by jay, Nottingham
Monday, February 08 2010, 12:01PM
“This is not a cost to the council because they own the Nottingham city Transport network. It is to raise money.... I think all children should have a free travel pass on public transport, particularly if we want the next generation to focus on being green rather than driving a car.”
by John, Carlton
Monday, February 08 2010, 7:38AM
“Frankly I'm amazed and disgusted that faith and single sex schools get special treatment at all. It sounds racist, sexist and discriminatory to me.
Its not compulsary for your kids to attend the faith/single sex school, if you choose a school other than your nearest state run school then you should not expect others to pay for your kids to get there.”