Free school transport laws need an update
Charlotte Goddard
Monday, March 23, 2009
It is no longer realistic to expect children to walk for three miles to school according to a committee of MPs who are calling on the government to review school transport policy.
Children over the age of eight are required to have a walk of more than three miles to school before they are entitled to free transport, according to rules set in the 1940s. But the Transport Committee, which published its School Transport report this week, said the distance should be reviewed.
MPs on the committee also expressed disappointment that ministers seem to have ruled out a concessionary scheme offering reduced fares to young people "without having conducted any serious research into the viability of such a scheme".
The report also said that the government should carry out research to assess the cost of travel to education and training facilities for young people, particularly in light of the introduction of diplomas for 14- to 19-year-olds, which can require a lot of movement between sites.
It said young people from low-income families carrying out diplomas should receive financial support to help them with transport costs.
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said: "Many young people in rural areas have to travel significant distances to get to their local college, and often even further to access appropriate courses.
"Infrequent and inadequate public transport means that students often miss their courses or find long and complex journeys too difficult, so restrict themselves to the limited choice of locally available courses."
