Pupil's plea to rethink bus changes

A SCHOOLGIRL says her attendance has been massively affected and is the lowest it has ever been because of changes to free school transport in Rhondda Cynon Taf

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

School pupil Laila Phelps addressing full council

Laila Phelps, a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, spoke to a full council RCT meeting about the impact the changes had had on her.

Changes to transport eligibility for secondary pupils and post-16 students in RCT which came into force in September meant only pupils living three miles or more away are eligible.

This has meant many pupils who would have previously been eligible now miss out.

Parents have described the situation as “absolute carnage” with crowded buses, traffic congestion, and pupils having to walk long distances, and Laila said fewer buses has affected many children in RCT in many ways.

Laila said that instead of the school bus, she now has to get a train, catch a bus and then walk from Porth station.