Western Isles School Transport Changes

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Education and Children’s Services Committee is proposing a number of changes to ease the financial implications for parents under a revised school transport policy.

The Comhairle is now planning to implement the scheme on October 25th, after the term break.

A stepped discount scheme will be considered which will mean that families with more than one child requiring a pass would receive a discounted price.

Tickets will be available on a weekly basis for parents to use in line with their children’s travelling requirements.

It was also confirmed at a meeting of the Committee today that parents would be able to pay for passes by direct debit.

It was confirmed that appeals made to the Education and Children’s Services Sub-Committee should be heard before the implementation of the scheme in October provided that the appeal is made before 21^st September.

Cllr Catriona Stewart said: “The Committee has listened to concerns raised by some parents and we are introducing a number of measures which we hope will go some way to addressing those issues.”

The Director of Education and Children’s Services will be writing to parents with information on the new scheme, subject to agreement at the full Comhairle meeting next week.

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