Bus pass campaign given extra backing

A campaign against Rochdale Council’s proposals to scrap bus passes for students who attend faith schools has been given extra weight this week after the Prime Minister vowed to look into the issue following a question from Jim Dobbin MP in Parliament.

In the Council’s latest saving proposals they outline ending discretionary home to school transport for all children with effect from 1 September 2013. Currently, 1,448 pupils receive discretionary bus passes from the council, 1,141 of these pupils attend faith schools.

If the proposals get the go ahead the council expects savings of around £250,000 a year.

However, there has been widespread concern from schools and campaigners that faith students will be hit the hardest and there have been calls for the proposal to be modified to reflect the faith needs of the borough.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time this week, Mr Dobbin said: “Since the Education Act 1944, successive governments have supported subsidised travel for students who live 3 miles or more from the faith school of their choice. Some local authorities are beginning to cut back on that financial support, and I do not think any Member in this House wants to see that happen. Can the Prime Minister encourage local authorities to embrace the spirit of the 1944 Act on this particular issue?”

David Cameron replied: “The Honerable Gentleman asks a very important question. I support school choice—parents having the ability to choose between schools—and I also support faith schools. Indeed, I have chosen a faith school for my own children. So I will look very carefully at what he says and at what local authorities are doing, discuss it with the Education Secretary and see what we can do to enhance not only choice, but the faith-based education that many of our constituents choose.”

Councillor Dale Mulgrew who has been vocal on the subject, said: “I welcome this timely and helpful contribution from one of the borough's MPs. Jim Dobbin's question was incredibly relevant given the current proposal from Rochdale Council around scrapping bus passes to pupils who live over three miles from their place of education. This is in stark contract to Rochdale's MP who remains oddly silent on this subject.

“I was also pleased to hear the Prime Minister's response which recognised the importance of this issue, namely because he himself has just decided to send one of his children to a faith school. Like Jim Dobbin I will await the outcome from the discussions that will now take place between the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary.”

Cheryl Eastwood, Executive Director, Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re asking for views on new proposals to end discretionary home to school transport for children attending mainstream schools from September 2013.

“At present we provide extra transport services over and above our statutory duties.

“If the proposals are approved we would of course provide transport for children who are entitled to it by law and exercise our discretion to provide it in the case of exceptional need or circumstances.

“Anyone wishing to comment can have their say at www.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews or call into their library, council customer service centre or township office before the closing date on 19 December.”