Decision

The council has decided to approve recommendations for increasing bus fares on dedicated school buses and implementing changes to bus services for specific routes.

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations were approved, including increasing bus fares, phasing out cash payments, and transferring procurement and contract management of school bus services to respective schools.

summary: The decision involves increasing bus fares on dedicated school buses for certain schools and implementing changes to bus services for specific routes.

topline: The council has decided to approve recommendations for increasing bus fares on dedicated school buses and implementing changes to bus services for specific routes.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves potential financial burden on parents, changes to bus services, and the transition to a cashless system.

affected_stakeholders: ["Parents", "Students", "Local schools", "Bus service providers"]

contentiousness_score: 6

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.blackburn.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1097

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   (1)  That bus fares on dedicated school buses be increased to £1.95 for a single fare and £3.90 for a return fare for those services that were currently procured by the Local Authority on behalf of St. Bede’s RC High School, St Wilfrid’s CE Academy, Our Lady and St John RC High School and Darwen Aldridge Community Academy commencing from Monday 1st September 2025.   (2)  That the bus fares on dedicated school buses travelling to Bolton Schools be increased to £2.45 for a single fare and £4.90 for a return fare commencing from Monday 1st September 2025.   (3)  That bus fares be reviewed regularly and inflationary increases applied if required.   (4)  That vouchers be available to purchase until the end of Summer Term 2026 at which point an alternative electronic pre-payment system would be available.   (5)  That the value of the vouchers be increased in line with the proposed increase to bus fares commencing from Monday 1st September 2025.  Vouchers with a face value of £1.25 or £1.75 would only be accepted until 18th October 2025.   (6)  Paying cash on dedicated school buses would be phased out commencing September 2025 moving to a fully cashless system by September 2026.   (7)  That work be commenced to transfer the procurement and contract management of remaining school bus services to the respective schools that those buses served.   Specific for St. Bede’s RC High School   (8)  That bus numbers 83 and 84 be merged into one bus service.   (9)  That bus number 89 be changed to follow a new route.   (10)        That dedicated bus service number 81 be removed due to public transport being available.   (11)        That dedicated bus service number 823 be removed due to public transport being available.   Specific for Our Lady and St. John RC High School   (12)        That dedicated bus service numbers 70 and 977 be removed due to public transport being available.   Specific for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy   (13)        That bus number 822 be changed to follow a new route.   (14)        That the 822 designated school bus service route be removed by the end of summer 2030 at the latest (it may cease earlier if not required).      

Date of Decision: July 10, 2025