BRADFORD Council is proposing to scrap school buses to Ilkley Grammar School from Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

The local authority has launched a public consultation over its plans to axe the G23, G24, G25, G26 and G27 school bus services and instead tell pupils to travel by train.

Those pupils who currently get free bus transport to school will instead be issued with a railcard to allow them to travel by train at no cost.

The consultation announcement said: "The proposal will not affect the eligibility criteria in the Home to School Travel and Transport Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age or the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement.

"This means that all pupils currently receiving free travel will continue to do so but in a different way and pupils in the future that become eligible for free travel will be offered a railcard and not a dedicated bus service.

"The proposal is to discontinue the dedicated school bus services referred to above and to issue railcards that can be used between Burley-in-Wharfedale or Menston (if it is the nearer station) and to use the rail service that runs to Ilkley."

The consultation report added that there are currently four trains per hour on the route at peak times and that there is capacity for all current bus users to transfer to this service. It added: "All fare paying pupils using these services will be able to buy rail tickets as well."

The changes are expected to be implemented from September 2024 for the start of the new school year.

The Council said that the change from buses to trains will enable them to remove ten bus journeys per day from the roads.

The report said: "Local Authorities have a duty to promote sustainable modes of transport to schools. It will also be a more cost effective way of providing free travel for pupils in this area.

"The Local Authority recognises that any change to the current transport offer may result in unforeseen issues that may need addressing. It is important to ensure that all interested parties are given the opportunity to express their views for consideration and to this end, I am writing to Parents and Carers, Governors and Headteachers of all schools and in the locality to inform them of the proposals."

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “This proposal would mean reducing traffic on local roads and using a more sustainable and cost-effective transport option for some Ilkley Grammar School pupils. The proposal is open to consultation until 31 March and people can have their say by visiting the consultation page on our website.”

Anyone wishing to express a view or comment on the proposals can do so in writing either by email to schooltransport@bradford.gov.uk, or by post to Travel Assistance Service, Margaret McMillan Tower, Princes Way, Bradford BD1 1NN.

Submissions must be received before midnight on Sunday, March 31 2024.