Free school bus travel could be axed

Free home to school transport is also under threat for some school and college students aged over 16 and for some youngsters aged over 16 with special educational needs.

The council, which is trying to save £54.9m over the next year, spends around £4.76m a year on non-statutory free home to school travel.

John Grady, of the Diocese of Leeds, has said that scrapping passes could lead to falling numbers at Catholic schools as parents weigh up costs and school choice.

Council chiefs say young people who are already legally entitled to free home to school transport will not be affected by any changes to the policy.

Free transport would also remain available to faith schools for pupils from low income families.

Coun Judith Blake, executive member responsible for children services, said: “In these times of economic uncertainty, it is necessary for us to assess that we are spending council tax payers’ money as wisely as possible. This is why we have decided to look at what we currently spend on non-statutory services to make sure these are both fit for purpose and value for money.

“We are already working with partners to make wider improvements to the way children travel in the city as part of our ambition to be a child friendly city. Should the existing policy be changed we would ensure future provision is implemented carefully and coupled with imaginative and innovative solutions to ensure children and young people are provided with affordable and effective support.”

Pupils who currently have free pass can keep it until their primary or secondary education finishes. But all new pupils will have to pay to travel to and from school, at a cost of around £30 a month.

Leeds City Council chiefs say a final decision on the future of the transport policy would be made following evaluation of the results at the end of a 28-day consultation, which is set to start later this month.