Schools bus passes are under threat for some pupils in Wokingham under changes being considered by the council.

Wokingham Borough Council has announced that it is reviewing the support it provides to help children get to school, due to rising costs – and is asking for people’s views.

The council currently provides a range of services to eligible children who need help getting to school. These include public bus passes, home-to-school seats on shared vehicles, a personal transport budget, and in some cases a passenger assistant.

To be eligible for free school transport, parents have to show their children go to their nearest school, but live two miles or more away from it if they’re under eight, and three miles or more if they’re older.

They may also get support if they can show there is no safe walking route below that distance. And children can be eligible if they come from a family with a low income.

But the council says it is considering removing fare paying bus passes for sixth form pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

It also wants to make changes to other areas of its support, including fare paying discounts for low income families, which children are eligible for travel assistance, and how it decides who is eligible.

A council statement said this is because it needs to reduce costs to stop it overspending, and to protect other services for children and young people.

It says demand for travel assistance has increased from £3 million in 2018/19 to £5.8 million in 2022/23. And it adds that this is about 17 percent of its total budget for children’s services.

READ MORE: Grilling over 'chaotic' Wokingham school transport service

Councillor Prue Bray, executive member for children's services, said: “We realise these changes will have an impact on some of our residents, but unfortunately, the service that we are currently offering is not sustainable.

“Where possible, we'll look to reduce the impact of changes through measures like investing in footways and cycleways, or working in partnership with neighbouring councils.”

Any changes would come into effect in September 2024 – although the council says it could make the changes sooner. Anyone already using these services will keep their current arrangements until their circumstances change and their eligibility is reassessed.

The consultation is open until Friday July 21. Councillor Bray said: “I strongly encourage people to respond to this consultation as all comments will be considered as we look at ways to implement existing policy more efficiently and effectively.”

You can find more information and comment on the proposals at engage.wokingham.gov.uk