Has RCT stopped all of the school buses?
Absolutely not. We are still running one of the largest Home to School services in Wales, busing thousands of children to school every day.
What changes have been made to the RCT Home to School policy?
The only change made to the policy is that secondary school children will now be bused to school if they live over 3 miles from their comprehensive school, where previously the limit was over 2miles. This change brings the Council in line with the Learner Travel Measure for Wales (Government policy) and, in addition to this, 19 other Local Authorities in Wales operate at the 3 miles guidance.
Has Home to School transport for primary school aged children been changed in any way?
No. There have been no changes. The Council has agreed to keep the policy of busing primary children to school if they live over 1.5 miles away. This is more generous than the Government policy, which is to bus children to school if they live more than 2 miles from their primary school. The Council listened to the concerns of parents and stakeholders expressed during the extensive 9-week consultation (extended from the initial 6-week period), and did not proceed with any changes to transport to primary schools. This means that this provision in RCT goes beyond the legal requirement and is more generous than the vast majority of local authorities in Wales.
Does the Council still provide free Home to School transport to pupils accessing Post-16 education and colleges?
Although the Council is not obliged to provide this transport at all, RCT Council provides transport to 6th form and college students living more than 3 miles from their place of education.
Has the Council stopped Home to School for Faith and Welsh schools?
No, the only change is using the 3 mile distance instead of the previous 2 mile limit for secondary schools. The Council still uses it’s discretionary powers to provide transport in line with English primary and secondary schools
Have the changes impacted transport for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in any way?
No. RCT Council has protected the ALN Home to School transport budget and has continued to increase it year on year.
What has the Council done to help assist students getting to school or college?
The Council has introduced a number initiatives to assist with students accessing their education. These include the use of external funding via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund to run the £1 bus scheme for 5-15 year olds in RCT – this scheme means that children and young people in RCT have access to the Welsh Government’s nation-wide scheme 2 months early. In addition, the Council has allocated a £100,000 hardship fund to secondary schools to support families. The Council has also liaised extensively with Transport for Wales around the monthly student tickets and initiatives to implement reduced student fares.
How much does RCT spend on Home to School transport that is over and above the statutory provision?
Although the Council has reduced the Home to School transport budget by £2.06m through savings and cost avoidance, we are still funding Home to School transport by £4.8m over and above what is expected under the Learner Travel Measure. The Council still spends £13m per year on Home to School transport.
How far over and above the statutory minimum does the Council go in transporting pupils?
The Discretionary Policy means that every day, thousands of additional pupils are bused to school or college over and above those we’re expected to provide transport for under the Learner Transport Measure.