CHANGES are being proposed for Bucks Council's school transport scheme that has previously been labelled as 'confusing and complicated'.

The council has launched a consultation to seek feedback on its plan to simplify the scheme that offers paid-for seats on council-run school buses.

The Spare Seat Scheme charges for spare spaces once all young people in the county who are eligible for free school transport have been allocated a seat.

However, a previous consultation revealed many found the scheme too complex and difficult to understand and, as such, changes are being proposed to address this.

Bucks Council cabinet member for transport Steve Broadbent said: “We sell spare seats on Council school buses where they are available after allocating seats to children who qualify for free assistance.

"This is a positive way of maximising the number of children who are able to travel on our commissioned bus routes.

"The service has had feedback from parents that the current charging structure is complicated and confusing with lots of different factors that can lead to uncertainty over the rate to be charged.

"We want to make it easier for parents to understand so are consulting on options which simplify the pricing structure."

The changes will even out the cost of travel over a child’s whole school career by reducing the cost of post-16 travel for some Spare Seats passengers, making it easier to know upfront how much it will cost before applying for a seat.

The council has put together three 'simplified' options, under all proposed options non-Buckinghamshire Council residents will pay a higher fee to customers who live within Buckinghamshire.

Spare Seat Scheme charging options being proposed include; 

  • Distance banding (small difference between distance bands)
  • Option 2: Distance banding (medium difference between distance bands)
  • Option 3: Flat fee (regardless of distance)

Minor changes to these policies are being proposed to make them clearer and easier to understand, according to the authority.

The consultation will also look at the Home to School transport policy for students aged 0-19 and up to age 25 for SEND pupils, plus the Post-16 transport policy statement for 2023-2024.

Councillor Broadbent added: "There are no other changes proposed to the Spare Seat Scheme offer, application process or prioritisation policy. Only the Spare Seat charges will change from the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

“The consultation is open to anyone who wishes to share their views, so please do take a look and provide your comments.”

To view the changes in more detail and provide feedback go to yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/schools/home-to-school-2022

The consultation will run up to December 4, and any changes will be in place from September 2023.