Parents in Ceredigion blindsided by school transport changes

Pembrokeshire Herald

2 days ago

Council policy restricting bus access sparks rural backlash
PARENTS across Ceredigion say they have been left 'blindsided' by a sudden change to school transport rules which restrict free bus travel to only the nearest secondary school — even when another school is just marginally further away.
The new interpretation of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 means children who live more than three miles from school are eligible for free transport — but only if that school is deemed the nearest 'suitable' one.
The policy is being applied strictly, with families reporting that even a difference of half a mile between two schools is being used to deny access to school buses — despite places being offered and bus services already running past children's homes.
Campaigners say the change, introduced without public consultation, has already forced some children to switch schools or make long and impractical journeys. A new grassroots group, Let Us Travel – Ceredigion, is calling on the council to pause enforcement and review the policy.
Miesha Evans, whose son was due to attend Ysgol Aberteifi, said: 'There's a school bus that passes our house every morning with empty seats. My son has a place at the school, but now the council says he can't get on it — because another school is half a mile closer on paper. It's nonsense, and families like mine feel ignored.'
A parent from Beulah added: 'We applied in good faith after attending open days and reading the bus timetables. Now we're being told our daughter can't even travel with her own sibling.'
Other parents have highlighted cases where public buses are not a viable option due to cost, timing, or safety concerns. One campaigner said: 'There's a public bus from the town two miles away, but it leaves very early and doesn't return until after 5:00pm. That's not suitable for an 11-year-old girl — especially in winter.'
Children already attending schools they've settled into — sometimes after transition days or friendship-building events — are now being asked to move to different schools based solely on distance.
Ceredigion County Council has yet to release a formal public statement on the matter. However, it is understood the authority is enforcing the policy to ensure legal compliance with the Learner Travel Measure, which requires councils to provide transport only to the nearest suitable school, not necessarily the school of parental choice.
A council spokesperson previously told The Herald on a related matter: 'We are obliged to apply national guidelines fairly and consistently to all families. Discretionary arrangements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis where exceptional circumstances apply.'
The Learner Travel Measure does include exceptions — such as where routes are unsafe, or where a child has special educational needs or a disability. But campaigners argue these exceptions are not being applied flexibly enough in rural areas with poor public transport links.
The campaign group is calling on the council to:
Pause enforcement for pupils already offered a place
Consider family links, such as siblings already attending
Reintroduce discretion where no realistic alternative transport exists
Local MP Ben Lake, Senedd Member Elin Jones, and several county councillors have been contacted by parents and are being urged to raise the issue urgently.
A petition and Facebook campaign have gained momentum, with over 500 signatures in the first week.
Until this year, the council routinely allowed access to school buses that passed through adjacent villages — even if they weren't serving the absolute nearest school. Buses will continue to carry older pupils under existing arrangements, but new Year 7 students in the same households may be barred from using them.
Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, parents have the right to express a preference for which school their child attends. However, that does not guarantee free transport if the school chosen is not the nearest one judged suitable by the council.
The Herald has asked Ceredigion County Council for a full statement in response to the campaign and will publish any update received.