Home to School Transport
Jacinthe Betts

The new Home to School Transport policy will begin in September 2012. This seeks to end all 'discretionary' transport and initiate a statutory only policy. Despite Lilley having, at present, a statutory entitlement, HCC have modified the policy from 2012 to allow schools out of the county to be considered for transport purposes.

For many of us this causes concerns as we reside in a priority area for Hitchin Schools, and as such are guaranteed a place at one of the three Hitchin Secondary Schools. HCC have decided that they have no obligation to link the Schools Admission Policy to the School Transport Policy. Therefore, transport for Lilley residents from September 2012, will be provided to Puteridge High School, Luton. Should that school be oversubscribed it will then be provided to the next nearest school, which is most likely Stopsley High School. Whether you named that school on your school placement application form is irrelevant.

Lilley Parish Council have written to the priority schools to explore the possibility of our priority schools initiating a transport service. Should this prove fruitful, we will update this page accordingly.

I have tried to think of the most common FAQ's which residents have asked and provide the information, to the best of my knowledge, below. The best advice I can give - if free home to school transport is refused – appeal. I will always be happy to help with appeals, so please contact me if you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

JUNIOR SCHOOLS

I live in West Street. I have been told I am not entitled to free transport to Offley School as I live below the distance criteria. Is this true?

No, this is not true. You do have an entitlement to free transport to Offley under the safe walking route criteria. When you apply for transport, you must make clear that you are applying under the safety criteria. It may not be an option on the application form, but if you put a cover letter in stating there is no safe walking route, you should obtain a free pass.

If in the future HCC provide a safe walking route, then free transport will be withdrawn if you live below the distance criteria (more than 2 miles for a child under 8 years old, and more than 3 miles for a child over 8 years old).

I live in Lilley, beyond Ward's Farm and I have been told Offley is not my nearest School, is this true.

Possibly! At some point along Hexton Road (Ward's Farm was given by HCC as a rough estimate), Hexton JMI becomes the nearest school for transport purposes. In this, and previous years, appeals for free transport to Offley have been successful. From September 2012, this may prove to be more difficult as HCC are ceasing to provide discretionary transport. If you are on benefits, you will still have free transport entitlement to either school. For others, including existing passengers, an appeal against a negative decision may be required from 2012. Should this situation arise, I would be more than happy to assist anyone in the appeals process. Should the process fail through the Council appeals process, the final stage would be to contact the Local Government Ombudsman where an independent decision will be made.

In that case, Hexton JMI is my nearest school will transport be provided?

If Hexton JMI is the nearest school that your child/ren attends, you have a statutory entitlement to free transport to Hexton School. At present there is no school bus servicing that route. If there are not enough children to warrant the provision of a bus, HCC will provide a taxi and accompaniment for your child/ren to and from school.

Hexton is my nearest school and I drive my children there – is any help available?

If there is no bus provision and you decide that you will drive your child to Hexton in lieu of HCC providing a taxi, you can apply for petrol allowance. I am unsure of the pence per litre and I have checked if this can be backdated – but sadly not! If anyone feels they are eligible please drop me an e-mail and I can provide the contact information for a claim.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

I live in Lilley, will I get free transport to a school in Hertfordshire?

For all Lilley residents, the nearest schools are outside the county. We will be entitled to transport to Putteridge High School as there is no safe walking route. Should that school be oversubscribed, transport will be provided to the next nearest school. There are quite a few schools situated nearer to us than the Hitchin Schools, so it is unlikely that we would be entitled to free transport to any Hertfordshire School.

If your child has a place on the school bus to the Hitchin Schools prior to September 2012, they should continue to have free transport until the end of their statutory schooling.

If you are on benefits, your statutory entitlement remains unaffected by the new policy. You remain entitled to free transport to 1 of 3 schools nearest your residence, between 2 and 6 miles away.

I am not on benefits but I am on a very low wage, is there any help for me?

Possibly! HCC will be operating a 'extenuating circumstances framework', and financial hardship will be considered within that.

What is the cheapest option for my child to travel to Hitchin?

Firstly get a Savercard. If your child is aged between 11-16 they can obtain a Savercard from HCC. It will cost £10 and will be valid until the child turns 16. This will allow your child to travel at half the adult fare on public buses in Herts and also to Luton. Personally, I find it disgraceful that children need to purchase a card to entitle them to a 'child' fare anyway, but without the Savercard, irrespective of any ID being provided; your child will have to pay an adult fare.

16-18 year olds can purchase a Savercard on a yearly basis provided they are in full-time education.

IMPORTANT! From September 2012, HCC are doubling the price of a Savercard to £20 and it will be valid for one year only. Therefore, any young teens should take advantage and purchase a card now for £10, which will be valid until their 16th Birthday.

To apply click here.

The cheapest option to travel to Hitchin is to purchase a North Herts Day Ticket on the Arriva 102. This will allow travel from Lilley to Hitchin, Stevenage and Letchworth. It is cheaper than a standard return from Lilley to Hitchin. It will not permit travel to Luton. The cost is about to rise, but at present is £4.20 per day or £2.10 with a Savercard. Costs reduce slightly if you purchase a weekly North Herts Day Ticket and better still a monthly North Herts Day Ticket. These tickets are valid on the Arriva buses and the Uno which runs the late night 101 service presently.

For permissible routes with the North Herts Day Ticket please click here