Surrey County Council Discontinues Free School Bus Service After Deeming Cross-Country Path ‘Safe’

Surrey County Council has discontinued its free school bus service following its assessment that a cross-country path is safe for students. According to parents, a communication detailing the revised walkable path to Esher High School explicitly indicated that the council did not factor in “personal safety issues of children travelling alone.” Plamena Naydenova, a parent who received the letter, questioned the decision, stating: “How can you call an 83-minute walk through dark heaths and unlit river paths a safe route?” The council explained that this change is projected to save approximately £180,000 annually and free up capacity on “stretched coach resources to provide travel assistance to those eligible.” Eligibility for free bus services is granted to children residing over three miles from their closest school. The introduction of the new route across the heath reduces the distance to just under this threshold, thereby disqualifying this group from the service. Mrs Naydenova further commented: “It’s just honestly outrageous, the whole thing. It isn’t about one child, it’s a principle. It will affect many families, not just my two children. I walked it with my sister as I was afraid to walk it on my own.” Approximately 81 children are reportedly impacted by this decision. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned that parents are in the process of appealing the ruling. The LDRS reported that the council has indicated a lack of additional funding to enhance the capacity of regular bus services. Councillor Clare Curran, the cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, stated that the route was determined after conducting “individual safe walking route assessments” in accordance with national guidelines. This stance is also supported by the Department for Education’s official school transport guidance. The current travel assistance will continue until the conclusion of the school year. Starting September 2025, children will be required to arrange alternative transportation, unless changes occur.