Faith schools lose bus fare fight

Jun 29 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

PUPILS at Church of England and Catholic schools in Cheshire will no longer receive free bus travel.

The county council’s executive voted to start charging pupils part of their travel costs from September, 2008.

The decision was taken at yesterday’s packed executive meeting following a long public consultation on the issue.

Travel costs to faith primary and secondary schools will be set at £291 per year – £1.53 a day – with the County Council supporting the rest of the costs by 61%.

Charges will be limited to two children in any household.

Parents, headteachers and clergy were amongst those who asked the executive a series of questions on the funding issue before the decision was taken.

Afterwards, lead member for children’s services, County Cllr David Rowlands said: “We have to strike the balance between the interests of those receiving a subsidised bus service and the broader interests of the council tax payer.

“Unfortunately, at present, the bus travel costs paid by the county council for pupils journeying to Catholic and Church of England schools are £750 per pupil per year.

“This cannot continue because there is no statutory duty to provide free transport.”