School bus fees set to rise

Parents will have to cough up another £119 a year for school bus travel for pupils aged over 16 in Staffordshire under new plans.

The proposed student contribution for over 16s will go up to £430 in September with the start of the new school year.

Staffordshire County Council is consulting on the increase.

If the pupil or their parent can provide proof they are receiving income support, income-based job seekers allowance, income- based employment and support allowance or guaranteed pension credit, then they may be eligible for a free travel pass.

Free transport is provided for children up to year 11 who live beyond the walking distance — two miles up to 11-years-old and three for over-11s — from the school that they attend.

Pupils usually get a bus pass for a public bus service.

The council is also introducing a new Your Staffordshire card that will allow everyone under 20 to travel to anywhere in Staffordshire for just £1 each way, giving young people more choice and freedom about where and when they travel, whether they are studying, working or unemployed.

It will come into effect in June.

A copy of the post-16 transport statement can also be viewed online at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transportconsultation

Last year county councillors agreed to delay axing free school transport for Catholic children in Staffordshire until 2017.

The scrapping date is five years later than they had originally planned.

The free transport is given to Catholic students who live outside their school's catchment area and costs taxpayers £1.1million a year. The county council had said it would look to stop the service in September 2012 but after a storm of protest the councillors agreed to delay the cuts.

Transport will continue to provided to current pupils for as long as they are at their school.