Hertfordshire school transport cuts ‘will save �5m’

SCHOOL transport provision in Hertfordshire will be dramatically cut from next year, it has been agreed.

Hertfordshire County Council will provide a service only for students with a statutory right to transport to school from September 2012.

The scheme, which is expected to save between �5m and �6m a year from the council’s �25m school transport budget, was agreed by cabinet members on September 19.

Cllr Frances Button, executive member for education and skills, said: “In light of financial pressures on the council, we are faced with some tough choices.

“The council as a whole has already identified �139m of efficiency savings, which will contribute substantially to our overall savings target of �201m by 2014/15.

“In the difficult economic climate it’s vital that we continue to identify the best ways to use our resources.”

The county council currently provides discretionary travel for around 4,000 students.

Following the changes, some students without a statutory entitlement will still be considered on an individual basis.

Those include looked after children, children with special educational needs and disabled students, as well as families facing financial hardship.