Free Bus Service Axe Cost is "Reasonable"
Today I received correspondence from Cllr. Allan Steele MBE, (Liberal Democrats) - Merrylea Park, in response to a letter I sent to our MSP, Mr Ken Macintosh, and copied to all Councilors.To his credit Cllr. Steele is the only respondent so far (apart from Cllr. Shaw who I was informed is not available due to illness) and agreed to the publication of his reply. His view is personal but seems fairly representative of many of the Councilors supporting this cut from the information I have received from parents.
A summary of his points are:
- Although he voted for the package of cuts there was no details of the cut package at the time.
- Bus services are not being withdrawn, merely some parents will now have to pay.
- Quote - "It appears that per pupil a £5 per week transport charge is being made. Personally I think this is reasonable. Obviously in the case of hardship, such charges would be waived."
- The cuts are due to lack of finance from the Scottish Executive. - This partly the reason was writing to the MSP Mr. Macintosh (Andy Slater)
It would be interesting to hear your comments.
posted by Andy Slater at
10:58 AM
2 Comments:
I replied to Cllr Steele with the following points:
1. Price cuts may be necessary but Primary School kids are not a good target on the grounds of safety alone
2. I don't know of anyone who thinks that £20 or £30 per week per child ( this price seems to vary wildly depending on who you talk to) is reasonable
3. None of the knock on effects of this decision had been considered such as congestion and Road Patrol provision
4. Parents are only left with one safe choice, take the car
5. The stated aims of the Transport Policy of East Renfrewshire is on their web site. Among these aims are (these are quoted from the web site verbatim):
Encouraging you to walk, cycle or use buses and trains whenever possible instead of your car.
Cutting congestion on roads and reducing overcrowding on trains and buses.
Boosting road safety and your personal safety on buses, taxis and trains.
I pointed out that this decision violates all of these. No response as yet.
By
Andy Slater, at 31/3/06 9:17 PM
I saw your site via the BBC link. I live in Fife and the 1mile rule still applies here. To expect children to walk 2 miles is to say the least penny pinching and at worst is dangerous given the traffic around your area. I moved from Glasgow 6 years ago and know East Renfrewshire. I also know the council you have has prided itself in better housekeeping then Glasgow but now we see the consequences. You only get what you pay for and if you want low council tax then you see the consequences unfortunaltely. The 1mile rule should still apply. Heck, if your council had to pay what rural areas had to payin bussing it would have a hairy fit. One secondary in North Fife costs nearly £3/4 million annually. Most schools in Fife have high bussing costs.
By
fiferunner, at 6/4/06 6:55 AM
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