This included arranging transport for children who are using home-to-school transport for the first time, supporting pupils who have changed schools or moved home, and making changes for those who no longer need the service.
We also received more than 3,300 new applications for transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Thanks to the efforts of our teams, we have processed more requests from pupils than in previous years - helping more children and young people get the transport they are eligible for from the start of term.
This year, new planning tools were introduced to help us run services more efficiently. These changes have reduced the total distance travelled on school routes, made better use of space on existing vehicles, and reduced the number of vehicles needed.
Building on improvements made last year, we’re expecting to save a further £2.5 million this year – on top of the £4.7 million underspend already reported.
Transport is provided by privately-owned transport operators such as taxi firms through contracts that usually last three to five years. When these contracts end, we plan and arrange new ones to keep services running smoothly. This summer, we successfully planned transport for 114 schools.
A recent external review of transport arrangements found that 89% of parents were either satisfied or very satisfied with their child’s transport service—highlighting the positive impact of this service on families.
“We want to be clear that these savings have been achieved through smarter planning, not service reductions.”
Beverley Fordham, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our transport teams for working so hard to make these efficiencies while still delivering a reliable and high-quality service.
“We want to be clear that these savings have been achieved through smarter planning, not service reductions. Families can be confident that children who are eligible for transport will continue to receive the support they need.”
