Faresaver buses were set up by John Pickford, he told me, to help in a transport issue getting his own children to school. That was a long time ago - those children now run the company and it's a successful and much more general operation these days. I used "his" buses just yesterday ...
Many or most bus services these days are general public focuses commercial, or are supported by subsidy from the local unitary council, and have a £3 fare cap as part of the government scheme. That applies to Faresaver routes X31/231, X34, 1, 1A, 1C, 10, 33, X33, 44, 60, 63, 65/65A, 66, 67/67A, 68/68A, 69, 76, 77, 87, 91, 95/95A, 228, 3A/3C, 271, 272, 273, 635 and 636. The other Faresaver routes - X10, X37, X83, X86, 287, 555, 49 - are not part of that scheme; the 555 at least remains a commercially based venture run by the company and paid for by the passengers or their parents / guardians. It runs school days only and whilst the public may use it, and indeed it's a useful direct bus from Corsham to Melksham later in the day, it's not really any good as a daily commuter bus because of the long holiday gaps.
The Melksham Oak School - the designate school in our town - is not every parent's choice, and a significant number of children are bussed, or given lifts elsewhere. If the parents choose a school that is not the closest, should they then expect or have a right to free or subsidised transport to the school they have selected, or should they take these costs into consideration when choosing for their children? While I am "at it" ... Mum's / Dad's taxi is also often used to get kiddos to schools when there is a closer / not motorised and practical alternative - should schools charge parking or drop of fees like (but not at the same level) as airports do?
From the Melksham News
FAMILIES in Melksham are raising concerns about the cost of school transport to Corsham School, saying current fares are unaffordable for many households.
A petition has been launched asking Wiltshire Council to review its school transport policy and consider ways to make travel more affordable, particularly for families on lower incomes.
The petition states, “Currently, the fare is £315 per term per child. For many families, especially single-parent households and those already facing rising living costs, this is simply unaffordable. Education should be accessible to all children, and the cost of transport should not be a barrier to attending a school that best meets their needs.”
One parent said, “I recognise that it is my choice to send my child to a secondary school outside of the town, but I do feel that the cost of transport is very high. There are some families whose children’s needs aren’t being met at the local option, but the cost of transport to other schools is so high that they might not have the option to look elsewhere, especially if they have more than one child or are on lower incomes.”
However, Wiltshire Council has explained that under national school transport guidance, children are entitled to free transport only if they live more than three miles from their nearest or designated school. For families in Melksham, this is Melksham Oak Community School.
Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Martin Smith, said, “Children from low-income households who qualify for free school meals may be eligible for free transport to one of the three nearest schools, located between two and six miles from their home. In some cases, this may include Corsham School. “Where parents choose a school that is not the closest or designated school, and the child does not qualify under low-income criteria, the responsibility for transport costs lies with the family. While the council does consider individual circumstances, exceptions are unlikely to be granted where the choice of school is based on educational preference or domestic arrangements.”
The 555 bus service to Corsham School is operated independently by Faresaver as a commercial venture, with fares set by the company based on operational costs.
The petition calls on Wiltshire Council to review its school transport policy, seeking a reduction in fares or subsidised travel for families on lower incomes, greater flexibility in providing assistance for children attending schools further afield, and a commitment to ensuring all children have equal access to education.
Faresaver has been contacted for comment
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