School transport in Wales is currently a source of concern, as it has been labelled as ‘inadequate’ and in need of significant reform. The issue particularly affects children in Wales’s most deprived communities, who face challenges in accessing appropriate transport services to get to school. According to reports, some pupils are forced to walk for up to two hours due to the lack of suitable transportation options. This has resulted in children missing school days as parents struggle to afford bus fares, highlighting the urgency of addressing the shortcomings in the current system.
Conservative MS Tom Giffard has criticized the existing legislation that provides free school transport for pupils living two miles or more away (three miles for secondary pupils), deeming it no longer adequate. Giffard highlighted the impracticalities of expecting children to cover such long distances, especially in adverse weather conditions. He raised concerns about councils opting for minimum legal requirements, rather than prioritizing the well-being of students. The children’s commissioner has also expressed dissatisfaction with the Welsh Government’s review of the 2008 learner travel law, emphasizing the lack of a legal obligation for councils to provide transport for students over 16 or those with additional learning needs.
Plaid Cymru’s shadow transport secretary, Peredur Owen Griffiths, referenced a survey that revealed concerning statistics about the impact of inadequate school transport on families. Nearly 40% of parents at Llanishen High School reported that their children had to miss school due to financial constraints, with disadvantaged children from areas like Llanedeyrn bearing the brunt of the issue. Griffiths emphasized the repercussions of these challenges on attendance levels, exacerbating educational inequalities, particularly for vulnerable children. Campaigners in Rhondda Cynon Taf also highlighted instances where pupils were undertaking gruelling two-hour walks to school due to deficiencies in the current transport policy.
Amidst the calls for reform, Labour’s Jenny Rathbone suggested potential solutions such as better integration with local bus services and the use of electric bicycles for secondary pupils facing long commutes. However, concerns were raised about the feasibility of deploying electric bikes in certain areas of Wales, given the terrain and weather conditions. Conservative Senedd group leader Darren Millar highlighted specific challenges, like the impracticality of electric bikes in rural areas with narrow roads and adverse weather conditions. The complexity of the issue was further underscored by the example of a parent fleeing domestic violence who was ineligible for free home-to-school transport due to shelter location constraints.
Labour’s Lee Waters, a former transport minister, echoed the need for multiple solutions to address the shortcomings in learner travel, emphasizing the financial strain on school budgets. The high annual expenditure of £204 million on learner travel raises questions about sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Waters highlighted the forthcoming bill aimed at reforming the fragmented bus services system, which is expected to tackle the core issues affecting school transport in Wales. Transport minister Ken Skates acknowledged the challenges and announced plans for a summit to explore alternative approaches and seek ways to deliver more efficient and accessible transport services for students.
As discussions around school transport reform continue, the focus remains on finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions to enhance learner travel in Wales. The forthcoming bill and consultation on refreshed guidance signal a commitment to addressing the inadequacies in the current system. With a growing emphasis on educational equality and access, stakeholders are working towards a more inclusive and efficient school transport network that caters to the needs of all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.