'Privilege' transport fees could be axed

Charges for spare seats on school transport in East Renfrewshire are set to be removed - as not all vehicles are fully compliant with accessibility laws.

- DREW SANDELANDS, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

East Renfrewshire Council is considering removing fees for 'privilege transport' from the start of the 2025/26 school year in order to comply with the regulations.

Last year, the council collected almost £17,500 through the charges which are paid for seats remaining once all eligible children have been allocated a space.

The number of 'privilege' places has dropped in recent years from 52 in 2022/23 to 39 in 2024/25.

Council officials are proposing the charges are removed and the way places are allocated is changed.

Cabinet members will consider recommendations on Thursday.

School transport is provided for pupils who live two or more miles from their allocated primary and three or more miles from their allocated secondary.

When there are leftover seats, they are offered to non-eligible families through the council's privilege transport scheme.

Currently, when there are more applications for privilege places than spaces available, a ballot is held to allocate seats.