A PUBLIC consultation will soon begin over a council’s decision to axe free school bus passes for some pupils.
Calderdale Council is assessing who will receive the bus passes as part of a cost-cutting measure.
By restricting access only to those who fall within their obligated legal requirements, the authority could save £62,000 over the next five years.
Members of the cabinet this week backed the scheme.
Clr Roger Taylor, of the Northowram and Shelf ward, told cabinet members: “As long as we have a consultation and people understand what we’re doing and we make sure they are listened to and their views taken on board then I’m ok with this.”
Cabinet members said this week changes would apply to new pupils, and the 177 pupils currently getting support will be unaffected.
The council report shows that some pupils who get free bus passes to and from school may be from wealthy families, but because they travel further, to faith schools for example, they qualify.
The council is following a move made by neighbouring authorities, including Kirklees and Bradford.
