A consultation has begun over changes to home to school transport in Liverpool.
The proposals would bring the Council into line with neighbouring local authorities.
If approved, the new scheme would not come into effect until September 2025, and pupils who benefit from the existing scheme will continue to receive a travel pass or transport, unless their circumstances change. Low income families, who currently represent 40 per cent of all passholders, would not be affected by the proposals.
An assessment has shown that 60 per cent of those who currently receive a pass, would continue to do so under the new policy.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Lila Bennett, said: “Our current home to school transport policy is no longer sustainable, plus we want to encourage more inclusion and independence for young people.
“Increases in the cost of fuel, transport and insurance mean that we have to bring the scheme into line with the Department for Education recommendations.
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“It is right that we review the scheme to make sure it aligns with our active transport policy and encourage pupils to use more environmentally friendly and sustainable ways of getting to and from school where appropriate, such as walking or cycling.
“We are proposing a fair policy that would protect those on low incomes, and ensure that those who currently have a pass continue to do so during their remaining period in education, unless their circumstances change.
“We want to hear as many views as possible from those affected and these will be considered as part of the decision-making process.”
What is being proposed?
The Council is consulting to hear views on changing the extended travel assistance policies, to bring them in line with national guidance:
- Removing discretionary free travel if parents or carers choose a school for religious or cultural beliefs that is not the nearest suitable educational institution. This does not affect a parent or carer’s right to express a preference for a school of their choice as part of the admissions process.
- Increasing the minimum qualifying distance for free travel from two to three miles for those over the age of eight, in line with national guidance.
- Removing travel support for pupils in years 6, 10 and 11 who have moved home and are no longer within qualifying walking distance to and from their school.
Travel support will be maintained for low-income families under the statutory criteria. In the 2021 academic year, 40% of travel passes issued were to pupils from low-income families. The Council will work with schools to provide travel support for pupils who do not meet the criteria.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who apply to receive travel assistance will continue to have their needs assessed on an individual basis.
Post 16 travel assistance
For pupils aged over 16, it is being proposed that those eligible for transport – which costs the Council an average of £5,843 per student – will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of getting to and from their educational institution. A contribution of £680 is being proposed, this would be reduced by 50% for students who would qualify for free school meals. This is in line with arrangements made by other local authorities.
Advice would also be provided on accessing student bursaries, and the Council would work with colleges to enhance the support they can provide to help students access public transport, for example through independent travel training.
How to have your say
Visit liverpool.gov.uk/consultations to fill in a short survey, by the closing date of 12 April 2024.
What happens next?
Once the consultation is complete, a recommendation will be put forward to Cabinet later this year.
