Nearly 500,000 Pupils in England Receive Councils-Funded School Transport Amid Rising Costs

Nearly half a million children under 16 in England rely on taxpayer-funded transport to get to school, with about 40% of those qualifying due to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Local authorities are facing rising costs for providing this transport, especially for SEND pupils, with spending on such services more than doubling in recent years and reaching £1.5 billion in 2023-24. Many SEND pupils travel alone in taxis or private hire vehicles due to complex needs or lack of shared routes, which significantly increases expenses. The system's complexity is heightened by rural areas lacking public transport options and the necessity for trained drivers to manage specialized requirements, despite political scrutiny and public criticism. The Department for Education does not directly manage or systematically collect detailed data on transport expenditures, leaving local authorities responsible for balancing safety, cost-effectiveness, and statutory duties. Calls for broader measures such as free bus travel for young people highlight ongoing concerns about transport accessibility and affordability for children and young people across England.