Parents Angry At Bus Fee For Sixth Form Daughter

Fri, May 12, 2006

Source: Spalding Today

AN irate couple could be driving their daughter to school from September rather than fork out £180 for a bus that passes right outside their home.

AN irate couple could be driving their daughter to school from September rather than fork out £180 for a bus that passes right outside their home.

Tony and Margaret Baker are angry that Lincolnshire County Council has decided to withdraw free transport for students starting further education (FE) and to charge parents.
For five years their daughter Stephanie has caught a bus outside their Tongue End home to get to Spalding High School but when she returns in September to begin her A-level studies her parents will have to pay for this service.

Now the couple are working out the costs of using their own car rather than the bus.
The county council has been looking at ways to reduce its transport costs and says that the changes are aimed at increasing the number of students continuing their education.
Last year the council spent about £4m on providing transport for 6,000 students aged over 16 who live more than three miles away from their school or college.
Officers estimate that the council will pay more than £26m for providing transport for school-age children (a statutory duty), FE students and other added on costs during last year.

But Mr Baker, of Main Road, said: "I don't really know if I am going to pay the charge. I am considering taking Stephanie to school myself instead.
"I think there are a couple of other girls here who go to sixth form so we could look at car sharing, but that means putting another vehicle on the road.
"The bus goes past our house and can carry about 30 people but there are only seven people on board.

"It is not going to cost any more to take my daughter to school."
Councillors agreed to make a number of changes to the home to school/college transport policy during an executive meeting at the start of the month.
From September parents will be asked to make an annual contribution and the council will continue to pay 70 per cent of the costs.
A lump sum of £180 or three installments of £60 can be paid.
Members lowered the original installment of £65 to £60.
The charge does not apply to
students who are already attending further education.
Last summer the council commissioned a review of how to potentially reduce transport costs and to increase numbers of students in further education.
Executive councillor for adult services and secondary education Christine Talbot said: "We have listened to what the students and colleges have had to say and do not believe that introducing these changes from September 2006 will impact on recruitment to post-16 courses.

"The whole point of the changes to policy, following the review of the service, is to see more students taking up the option of post-16 education in the county.
"The savings will provide the opportunity to support young people who do not at present benefit from continuing in education and training."
Schools services manager David Robinson said: "One regrets any charge but the charge is still less than most other counties' levy. It still represents good value for money."
Other changes agreed to the home to school/college transport policy are:

Designated areas for transport to
further education institutions in Lincolnshire be reviewed.

The threshold for feeder transport raised from two to three miles.

To offer an alternative agreed mileage allowance to allow students the opportunity to make their own travel arrangements where it results in saving on existing costs.

To introduce an appeals process.

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