In addition, the private transport market, on which we rely for most of our school transport, cannot always consistently meet this level of demand without continued substantial increases in cost.

School transport costs have increased by 52% since 2021/22. The current annual cost to transport a single pupil to and from school is £1,305, which is an 8.5% rise from last year’s figure.

The change we are introducing will ensure that school travel is affordable and reliable and promotes the benefits of active lifestyles within communities.

Transport will now only be provided for:

• From August 2024, any secondary pupil who lives more than three miles from their catchment school by the nearest acceptable walking route.

Parents affected by this change will be notified directly in writing.

This change will apply to all future transport applications. These changes do not affect pupils who attend additional support needs schools.