17 more buses needed

Over 400 pupils across the region qualify for statutory home to school transport are carried for free on the local bus network with the £330K annual cost for this provision recharged to the Council by SWestrans. However, local bus services are subject to one metre physical distancing, with no guarantee of a seat for youngsters, so the council are having to act. They have set aside £178,000 to fund 17 extra buses for nine weeks. The decision has been signed off by the chief executive and councillors will hear more about it at a meeting next week.