Families call on council to reduce school transport fares

Families in Melksham are raising concerns about the cost of school transport to Corsham School, saying current fares are unaffordable for many households. 

A petition has been launched asking Wiltshire Council to review its school transport policy and consider ways to make travel more affordable, particularly for families on lower incomes.

The petition states, “Currently, the fare is £315 per term per child. For many families, especially single-parent households and those already facing rising living costs, this is simply unaffordable. Education should be accessible to all children, and the cost of transport should not be a barrier to attending a school that best meets their needs.”

One parent said, “I recognise that it is my choice to send my child to a secondary school outside of the town, but I do feel that the cost of transport is very high. There are some families whose children’s needs aren’t being met at the local option, but the cost of transport to other schools is so high that they might not have the option to look elsewhere, especially if they have more than one child or are on lower incomes.”

However, Wiltshire Council has explained that under national school transport guidance, children are entitled to free transport only if they live more than three miles from their nearest or designated school. For families in Melksham, this is Melksham Oak Community School.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Martin Smith, said, “Children from low-income households who qualify for free school meals may be eligible for free transport to one of the three nearest schools, located between two and six miles from their home. In some cases, this may include Corsham School.

“Where parents choose a school that is not the closest or designated school, and the child does not qualify under low-income criteria, the responsibility for transport costs lies with the family. While the council does consider individual circumstances, exceptions are unlikely to be granted where the choice of school is based on educational preference or domestic arrangements.”

The 555 bus service to Corsham School is operated independently by Faresaver as a commercial venture, with fares set by the company based on operational costs.

The petition calls on Wiltshire Council to review its school transport policy, seeking a reduction in fares or subsidised travel for families on lower incomes, greater flexibility in providing assistance for children attending schools further afield, and a commitment to ensuring all children have equal access to education.

Faresaver has been contacted for comment.