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Schools - transport

General Information

It is the Council’s intention to provide a system of transportation that will seek to carry learners safely, comfortably and without unreasonable levels of stress. These principles will apply to all transport services contracted by the Council.

Provision of Free Transport

There is a statutory duty placed upon the Council to provide pupils with free transport to their nearest suitable school if they reside beyond safe ‘walking distance’ to that school. The term suitable school applies to the catchment area English, Welsh, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class as appropriate.

The law relating to ‘walking distance’ is defined as two miles for learners receiving primary education and three miles for learners of compulsory school age receiving secondary education.

Rhondda Cynon Taf has, however, chosen to define the distance for pupils in primary, junior and infant schools as one and a half miles, and two miles in respect of secondary school learners of statutory school age and those aged 16-19 who attend schools and colleges of further education.

The provision of free school transport will be arranged to coincide with the start and end of the normal school day only and shall be provided during the school term time. No transport is provided for breakfast clubs, after school clubs or summer schools. (Separate transport arrangements may be made as part of the E3+ programmes).

Where pupils attend, as a result of parental preference, a school other than the local catchment area school (as determined by the Council) then those parents are totally liable to organise and pay for the cost of transport to the chosen school. Where the chosen school is nearer to the learner’s home than the designated catchment school, free transport will be provided, subject to the application of the safe ‘walking’ distance’ criteria.

In all cases, the efficient use of resources will dictate the mode of transport provided (subject to any special needs requirements). Transport may be provided by means of contracted school transport services or existing public transport services, which together with the size and type of transport (bus, minibus, train, taxi etc) will be dictated by the cost effectiveness.

The provisions of section 88 of the Transport Act 1985 place a duty on local authorities to secure, in the interests of its local residents, the best value for money from expenditure on public passenger transport as a whole. The Council will therefore be mindful of its duty to provide socially necessary (public transport) bus services when arranging transport provision for learners.

Children with Special Educational Needs

Free transport is provided for all pupils who attend special schools, pupil referral units and learning support classes that are not located within their catchment area school in accordance with the Council’s agreed policy on walking distance and safe routes.

Learners with disabilities (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) may be entitled to assistance with transport from home to an appropriate school/college even though the Council’s agreed criteria on safe walking distance are not met. Such provision is subject to referral to, and approval by, the Council’s SEN Panel. Any such referrals must be supported by appropriate evidence.

Transport to Welsh Medium and Dual Language Schools

Pupils attending the nearest Welsh medium or dual language school receive free transport if it is in accordance with the Council’s agreed walking distance and safe routes.

Transport to Voluntary Aided Schools

Pupils attending the nearest voluntary aided school of the parent’s denomination receive free transport if it is in accordance with the Council’s agreed walking distance and safe routes.

Special Transport on Medical Grounds

Transport to and from school may be provided for short periods on the recommendation of an appropriate Health/Medical Officer and will be subject to confirmation by the Council. Where agreed this provision will be subject to regular review.

Special Arrangements Hazardous Routes

A route is considered to be available if it is safe for a child to walk alone or, if appropriate for the age of the child, with an accompanying adult. It is recognised that occasions will arise when routes may become hazardous. In these circumstances, the LA reserves the right to provide free school transport over distances below the discretionary limits if this is recommended by appropriate officers in the interests of the safety of the relevant learners.

As a matter of policy, these routes will be reviewed biennially. The Council will have regard to the following primary criteria in arriving at such decisions:-

  • That there is no available bus service along the route between the home and the school;
  • That the degree of danger involved is such that escorting parents and children are at risk from the particular traffic situation.

Parents are advised that where routes are improved and upgraded to the extent that they are assessed as being available to walk in safety, the Council will review the provision of transport and may withdraw provision.

Fare Paying Passengers

From time to time it is possible that the numbers of eligible pupils on a specific vehicle will be below the capacity of the vehicle being used. In such cases the Council will reserve the right, using the appropriate powers, to make spare capacity available to children who live below the discretionary limits listed above.

When places on a vehicle are made available under this provision they will be charged annually at a flat rate per pupil per term. The payment is required in advance, with the level of charging being assessed on a regular basis and adjusted where appropriate. It must be understood that the provision of this facility does not represent an obligation on the Council and, being entirely dependent upon the capacity of the vehicle used, may result in the withdrawal of the facility at relatively short notice.

Whilst every effort will be made to make spare seats available at the start of the new academic year, the Council must assess the impact not just of changes in demand due to new starters but also of learners who decide to leave after receiving their examination results. In addition, seats also become available during the first few weeks of term as some learners who are entitled to free travel decline the seat offered and do not travel on the vehicles provided. Once all these factors are taken into account, any spare seats will be released for sale, though in most cases this will not be possible until after 2nd October 2010.

Change of Family Home – Subsequent Transport Arrangements

Pupils in receipt of free transport whose families move to an address outside the local area of the school to which transport has been provided will not continue to receive this provision if there is an additional cost to the Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers relating to the provision of the school transport service are available in the Related Documents section.

Monitoring and Complaints Procedures

All vehicles will be available for random checks by the VOSA or other appropriate body, when required. Any complaints received by the Council concerning services or vehicles will be immediately investigated. In the event of the complaint being upheld, the necessary and appropriate steps will be taken in accordance with the contract or as a matter of priority.

The Council will undertake random checks on contracts, to ensure that the contracts are being operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. As a part of the monitoring exercise, checks will be made to include punctuality, adherence to route, size of vehicle, licences, CRB cleared staff, all of which are designed to ensure safe and stress free travel.

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Content authorised by: Transportation Unit
Last revised on: 5/7/2010