Bus fares to Grove College in Market Drayton 'too expensive'

Gail Emerson said she has to pay £875 a school year for her 16-year-old daughter Elisa to get the school bus from Wistanswick to Grove College in Market Drayton.

She said transport to other schools in the area cost around £400 to £500 a year.

Sonia Taylor, headteacher of Grove College, admitted that bus fares to the college are too high and staff have actively campaigned to get them lowered.

Mrs Emerson said: "We are expected to make a contribution of £875 a year, but if my daughter went to South Cheshire College then transport would be free.

"If she went to Shrewsbury an Arriva bus pass is £495 and she could travel for 365 days a year instead of just in the school term. It is very odd and confusing why the bus fair to Grove College is considerably more.

"At the moment she hasn't been on the school bus this year and has stayed at friends after school or we have paid for a taxi.

"It is putting people off going to the college because the transport costs so much.

"We have no other public transport in Wistanswick since the 341/342 was axed."

Mrs Taylor said: "We share parents' concerns about bus fares for Grove College students.

"However, we have no control over these as a school, as the local authority set the fees for the school buses for post-16 students.

"We agree absolutely that the fees are too expensive and have actively campaigned with authority officials for them to reconsider the costs.

"Our governors have written to the transport office to express their concerns but to no avail.

"We suggest that you contact the local authority to add weight to our voice."

Shropshire Council said they are committed to supporting college and sixth form students through the contribution scheme but would encourage students to look at alternative transport solutions.

Andy Evans, Shropshire Council’s principal network solutions officer in passenger transport group, said: “Shropshire Council recognises that post-16 transport assistance is an important area and is committed to support college and sixth form students via the discretionary post-16 transport contribution scheme.

“In 2014 the council were unable to subsidise the scheme at the currents levels, and in consultation with stakeholders agreed to a phased subsidy reduction.

“The council has managed to maintain the current charge of £875 for the 2017/18 academic year for the small number of entitled students who use this scheme, and for those entitled students on defined benefits this charge is £142.50.

"In some cases there are alternative transport solutions available, and we would encourage students to explore these options before confirming their travel arrangements.”