Campaigners call for college transport funding

Children and campaign groups fearing the effects of widespread cuts to college transport funding delivered a film petition to Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday.

The ‘Save Our Buses’ five-minute video, produced by Campaign for Better Transport and other groups in coalition with students, draws attention to many of the concerns young people have regarding council cuts to educational bus services, particularly youth bus pass schemes and over-16 travel subsidies.

During the video, which was taken by students to the Department of Education, young people describe some of the transport problems they have faced and fears over how cuts will affect their ability to attend school and college.

Sophie Allain, Campaign for Better Transport’s bus campaigner, said: “Young people depend on buses to access education and training opportunities inside and outside of college. Very simply, if they can not catch the bus they are seriously disadvantaged.”

With some councils publishing plans on Tuesday to axe all over-16 travel support, many organisations are worried about the impact this will have on students. This is particularly in light of uncertainty surrounding the replacement of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for over-16 students, a reduction in many bus services, and fare increases of eight per cent above inflation in some areas.

Ms Allain is concerned that decisions on over-16 college funding are being taken in isolation and could have a combined impact on students in September, when it will be too late to resolve.

Fourteen-year-old Samuel Watkin, from Maidstone, who appears in the film, said: “I think it’s essential that the people making the decisions look at bus cuts from our perspective.

“We are the ones who will bear the brunt of these cuts because public transport is a lifeline for so many young people who can’t drive and can’t rely on their parents for lifts.”

While 15-year-old Alice Stretch, from Canterbury, who also appears in the film, said: “Buses are important to everyone, but especially young people, so we should be listened to when public transport is being cut.”

A host of organisations have joined to make the film petition, including Campaign for Better Transport, Association of Colleges, British Youth Council, Kent Youth County Council, National Children’s Bureau, UK Youth Parliament and the University and College Union (UCU). All are calling for those involved in providing transport services to consider the consequences of their decisions and ensure no young person misses out on education because of a lack of transport.

Jake Ryan