"School special" buses - an endangered species
May 16, 2010 8:00 AM
School buses are unlikely to survive, unless schools and parents act now
Proposals to cut "school special" bus services, in some cases from this September, brought such strong public opposition from parents and schools that none of them will be removed before September 2011. However, this is just a reprieve. All "school special" bus services across the county are still being considered for closure, with the Cabinet expected to come to a decision on 13 July.
School specials look like ordinary services in that members of the public can use them, but they're heavily subsidised by Surrey County Council to fit around the school day. To find out if your child is likely to be affected, check the link below to the Surrey County Council website "School special services".
If you rely on any "school special" bus service, don't assume it will be there after September 2011. As part of the budget in February, the Conservative Cabinet at Surrey County Council decided in principle that all of these services should be cut to save money. The consultation and report that will go to Surrey's Cabinet on 13th July is a chance for exceptions to be made and alternatives considered - but it is unlikely they will survive, unless parents and schools make the case and show clearly why their bus service should be spared.
More detailed information, given to Head Teachers in April, can be found on the SCC website by using the link below "How to get involved". There's also a further link to an online survey for parents, who need to make their views known before the summer half term.
This won't be the end of the school transport story - all forms of school transport that Surrey doesn't legally have to provide are due to be reviewed later in the year, including subsidies for "denominational transport" to Catholic and Church of England schools.
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