More than 350,000 kids in the U.K. have lost their transportation entitlement since 2008, a new report from STC Ltd. shows. Seen here is a “My bus” school bus in West Yorkshire.

More than 350,000 kids in the U.K. have lost their transportation entitlement since 2008, a new report from STC Ltd. shows. Seen here is a “My bus” school bus in West Yorkshire.

Reductions in school transportation in the U.K. have decreased the number of students transported by 27% since 2008, a new survey shows.

The “School Transport Matters” report, developed by consulting firm STC Ltd., provides an overview of school transportation across the U.K. and highlights a trend of transportation cuts that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The survey shows that nearly 1 million students in the U.K. receive school transportation service from their local authority. That figure is equivalent to just over 10% of the school population.

But the majority of local authorities — nearly 80% of them — have reduced their school transportation service since 2010, according to the study. In all, more than 350,000 children have lost their transportation entitlement since STC’s report in 2008.

Still, some parts of the U.K. offer more generous transportation services for students. In London, for example, travel to any school via public transportation is free. Accordingly, STC’s new survey shows that the proportion of pupils in London who ride a bus to school has increased from 21% to 29% over the past decade.

The report also gives recommendations, such as developing a coherent transportation strategy for young people and updating school transportation legislation.

To access the full report, go here.

About the author
Thomas McMahon

Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

Thomas had covered the pupil transportation industry with School Bus Fleet since 2002. When he's not writing articles about yellow buses, he enjoys running long distances and making a joyful noise with his guitar.

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