Proposed changes to travel support
A consultation could soon be underway on proposed changes to two education transport policies in Dudley borough.
Dudley Council is currently reviewing its Education Travel Support Policy (compulsory school age) and it’s Post 16 Travel Support policy and at next week’s cabinet, members are recommended to approve a consultation on the proposed changes.
The council has a statutory duty to provide eligible children and young people with travel support, but demand for this is increasing year on year.
To help reduce financial pressure on the service while still meeting Department for Education guidance, a number of changes are proposed for consultation.
This includes tiered travel support options - bus or rail pass, travel support allowance (mileage) and a personal travel budget. There would also be an additional commissioned transport option for those aged five to 16.
Travel support would not start until a child reaches compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday) and discretion for applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria would be removed.
There is also a proposal to increase financial contributions towards the cost of post 16 travel support from parents and carers from £500 to £650 (standard rate) and from £300 to £360 for low-income families. This is the first rise since 2012 and, in future, increases would be in line with September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for children’s services said:
“This review is about ensuring we have a sustainable education transport service in
the borough, providing tiered travel options for eligible families based on individual need, while still meeting the Department for Education’s guidance.
“As always, we are keen to support young people as they develop the skills and capability to enable them to travel independently when ready.
“Should cabinet approve the recommendations, the consultation will go live later this month, and I would encourage families to take part in this and have their say.”
Cabinet is recommended to approve the request to conduct a consultation exercise about proposed changes when it meets on Wednesday March 19. The consultation would then go live on March 26.
If approved following the consultation, the proposed changes would come into effect at the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.