Hull City Council has axed free school transport. The new policy will be implemented from September 2014. It means the Council will provide travel assistance only for those who qualify on statutory grounds, this includes extended rights for low income families. The previous policy was described by Portfolio Holder for Learning and Skills, Cllr Rosie Nicola, as being ‘significantly beyond’ the Council’s statutory duty. According to Cllr Nicola, a survey carried out by the Council made it clear that many people recognised the need to change the 17 year old policy.
Cllr Rosie Nicola said, ‘We have listened carefully to all the views expressed and the ideas put forward during an extensive consultation with parents and families in Hull, together with schools, diocesan representatives, and transport providers amongst others. The response has been comprehensive and thought provoking. The decision made today has been a hard one in hard times. We have had to balance the provision of free transport to school with the economic climate and the cuts to Council funding being imposed upon us by Central Government. We are being forced to make economies, and the new policy will mean that we are able to make significant savings year on year. However, we are pleased that we are still protecting the most vulnerable through the extended rights for low income families.’
Bus & Coach Buyer 