The Daily Post has reported that Anglesey Council’s executive has rubber-stamped a new report that will see a “no pass, no travel” policy and an increase from £60 to £80 a year for those living less than two miles from a primary school, or three miles from secondary school.
As a result, services that currently operate for pupils in Pentre Berw to Gaerwen’s Ysgol Esceifiog and from Porth Amlwch to Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch will fall under the axe.
The new policy will also ensure that all post-16 students, who should pay for their bus passes, will be forced to do so.
The changes will see the council save £25,000 a year as both daily transport routes are non-statutory services that saw pupils living less than two miles away from school being provided with a free service — a situation that doesn’t exist elsewhere on the island unless the route is considered to be hazardous.
According to the authority, the new policy will help ensure the health and safety of each child that travels on public transport, also guaranteeing an allocated seat and create a fairer system across the island.
The plans form part of the council’s plans to save £15 million over the next three years, with the authority facing a 3.9% cut in its Welsh Government grant.
