A subsidy freeze for the cost of school kids travelling around north Kent has been put forward by Kent County Council (KCC).
KCC has created a draft plan that would halt increasing its subsidy for the popular Young Persons’ Travel Pass (YPTP) for secondary school pupils.
At the moment, the county council currently pays an average of £338 for each young person’s ticket on the scheme - parents pay £250.
Kent County Council is considering a subsidy freeze
KCC has confirmed that under the new proposals it would maintain the current YPTP contribution, but if the bus companies were to increase its fees, KCC would not match its share of the subsidy - in other words, parents might have to cough up the difference.
Arriva, which operates the 477 bus route service from Swanley to Dartford Boys Grammar, Dartford, has confirmed that it is not proposing a fare increase at the moment.
A to B bus route from Swalney to Dartford Boys Grammar, Dartford
As it stands a ticket for that school journey costs £608 - £250 from the parent and the remainder from KCC.
If that ticket price were to increase, the parent's contribution will also.
KCC cabinet member for environment and transport, Matthew Balfour, said: “The fees paid by parents for the pass pays a third of the cost of the scheme and KCC funds the rest, a cost of over £8m to the Kent taxpayer.
“No decisions have been made on the cost of passes from September as we continue to review the potential impact of bus company costs.
“We expect to be in a position to inform parents of the proposed rise by early March.”
TOP STORIES:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel