Bridgnorth school covers bus pass bill for over 16s
A Shropshire secondary school has stepped in to cover the full cost of transport for its older pupils as bus fares continue to rise across the county.
Bridgnorth Endowed said it took the decision after concerns were raised by parents about the increasing cost of getting their children to and from school.
It has recently been revealed that some sixth form students in rural parts of Shropshire are being forced to pay nearly £800 just to get to school.
Headteacher Phil Loveday said: "Governors of Bridgnorth Endowed took the unprecedented step to cover the full cost of transport for any post 16 student that requires a bus pass to attend the school from September.
"This step has been put in place to support the students and their families as the price of bus passes within the county have risen to new levels."
Students travelling for vocational courses outside Bridgnorth, who have passed their GCSEs but chosen not to sit their A-levels, have to travel further afield to centres like Shrewsbury College to study for courses such as diplomas because none are available in the town.
Parents say their youngsters are now being targeted by big bus charges and blame Shropshire Council for signing contracts with operators that have left their children with large bills.
Broseley councillor Ian Pickles also raised the issue earlier this month saying sixth form students living in the town had seen prices jump by more than £100 in one year. Councillor Pickles said rising costs were causing huge concern for parents, who were having to cough up £766 a year for the children to travel by bus from Broseley to William Brookes School in Much Wenlock.
Mr Loveday said the Endowed School's new bus pass funding scheme was open to all students who were on roll at sixth form. He said: "There is no eligibility criteria for families so none are discriminated against. It is purely and simply open to all."
